I was one among many women busy with the obscure
daily tasks of the household.
Why did you single me out and bring me away
from the cool shelter of our common life?

Love unexpressed is sacred. It shines like gems in the gloom
of the hidden heart.
In the light of the curious day it looks pitifully dark.
Ah, you broke through the cover of my heart and dragged my trembling love into the open place, destroying forever the shady corner where it hid its nest.

The other women are the same as ever.
No one has peeped into their inmost being, and they themselves
know not their own secret.
Lightly they smile, and weep, chatter, and work.
Daily they go to the temple,
light their lamps,
and fetch water from the river.

I hoped my love would be saved from the shivering shame
of the shelterless,
but you turn your face away.
Yes, your path lies open before you, but you have
cut off my return,
and left me stripped naked
before the world
with its lidless eyes
staring night and day.