LOVE AT FIRST SIGHT

both are convinced
that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together
beautiful is such a certainty
but uncertainty is more beautiful

because they didn't know each other earlier
they supposed that nothing was happening between them
what of the streets, stairways and corridors
where they could have passed each other long ago?

i'd like to ask them
whether they remember, perhaps in a revolving door
ever being face to face?
an "excuse me" in a crowd
or a voice "wrong number" in the receiver
but i know their answer
no, they don't remember

they'd be greatly astonished
to learn that for a long time
chance had been playing with them

not yet wholly ready
to transform into fate for them
it approached them, then backed off
stood in their way
and suppressing a giggle
jumped to the side

they were signs, signals
but what of it if they were illegible
perhaps three years ago
or last tuesday
did a certain leaflet fly
from shoulder to shoulder?
there was something lost and picked up
who knows but what it was a ball
in the bushes of childhood

there were doorknobs and bells
on which earlier
touch piled on touch
bags beside each other in the luggage room
perhaps they had the same dream on a certain night
suddenly erased after waking

every beginning
is but a continuation
and the book of events
is never more than half open.

~Wislawa Szymborska~