János Pilinszky: To Myself (Magamhoz)

Endure bravely your solitude,
I’m keeping records of you,
don’t let the stars direct your fate,
destiny shall grow within you.

When it strikes between corners of
wakeful shoulders with a hiss,
you are better than us, I know,
within you grief is blazing.

Be then like animals, crudely
beautiful and guiltless,
listen courageously, as they
do to their brutal secrets.

And one night, you won’t even know,
just like celestial strains,
bygone days will return to you,
the always immortal years:

nobody will find you at night,
belatedly and crying,
in vain they cross your yard at night:
only I see you. Or not even I.

Translated by: Maria Bencsath