The pure water of the basin

"Pure water of the basin, motionless mirror,

tell me my beauty." "Bilitis, or whoever you are,

Thetys perhaps or Amphitrite,

you are beautiful, know it.

Your face is tilted beneath your thick hair,

swollen with flowers and perfume.

Your soft eyelids are scarcely open

and your flanks are weary from the movements of love.

Your body tired from the weight of your breasts bears

the fine marks of the fingernail

and the blue stains of the kiss.

Your arms are red from the embrace.

Every line of your skin was loved."

"Clear water of the basin, your coolness gives rest.

Receive me who am indeed weary.

Take away the color from my cheeks, and the sweat from

my belly and the memory of the night."