
Only at first was it love—when the cold landscape was green,
when newly I saw you, before you were really seen.
Only at first was it love—before I finally knew
old tricks of desire set up traps in you.
Only at first was it love—for desire runs so fast,
desire speedily goes; love’s true love, the past.
We have loved already; this is too bad.
Glad is innocent once. Forever belongs to sad.
You say things are new
and rains fall from a sky
we’ve never seen before. Yes, at first that lie
will be on my lips, too.
Only at first was it love—then it was merely you.