The sky is struggling between light and dark,
that nasty colour – grey – which seems it’s willing
to wrap you up
Do not give in, dispel it –
a mouthful of strong coffee
may be of help
Keep the grey confined to your garment–
well-fitted skirt or trousers –
listen to music loud,
to stir your blood
it may restore your confidence
You see, the clouds have already begun to scatter,
the fog has vanished –
the music of your soul has made it fade away;
the cosmic joy
hand in hand with the sun hidden within yourself,
called out the sun above

Now, dance, alone, in your room,
your trousers turned up to the knees,
your sleeves turned up to the elbows –
and joy will arouse again inside yourself
Go out into the street now, fresh, confident,
hands hidden in the pockets of your joy
It’s you the joy, yes, you are life itself !


translated from Romanian by Roxana Alexandrescu, [email protected]