by Wislawa Szymborska
They're both convinced 他們彼此深信，
that a sudden passion joined them. 是瞬間迸發的熱情讓他們相遇，
Such certainty is beautiful, 這樣的確定是美麗的，
but uncertainty is more beautiful still 而變化無常更為美麗。
Since they'd never met before, they're sure 既然從未見過面，所以他們確定
that there'd been nothing between them. 彼此并無任何瓜葛。
But what's the word from the streets, staircases, hallways— 但是聽聽自街道、樓梯、走廊傳出的話語—
perhaps they've passed each other a million times? 他倆或許擦肩而過一百萬次了吧？
I want to ask them 我想問他們
if they don't remember— 是否記不得了——
a moment face to face 在旋轉門
in some revolving door? 面對面那一刻？
perhaps a "sorry" muttered in a crowd? 或者在人群中喃喃說出的「對不起」？
a curt "wrong number" caught in the receiver? 或者在聽筒截獲的唐突的「打錯了」？
but I know the answer. 然而我早知他們的答案。
No, they don't remember 是的，他們記不得了。
They'd be amazed to hear 他們會感到詫異，倘若得知
that Chance has been toying with them 緣分已玩弄他們
now for years. 多年。
Not quite ready yet 尚未完全做好
to become their Destiny, 成為他們命運的準備，
it pushed them close, drove them apart, 緣分將他們推近，驅離，
it barred their path, 憋住笑聲
stifling a laugh, 阻擋他們的去路，
and then leaped aside. 然后閃到一邊。
There were signs and signals, 有一些跡象和信號存在，
even if they couldn't read them yet. 即使他們尚無法解讀。
Perhaps three years ago 也許在三年前
or just last Tuesday 或者就在上個星期二
a certain leaf fluttered 有某片葉子飄舞于
from one shoulder to another? 肩與肩之間？
Something was dropped and then picked up. 有東西掉了又撿了起來？
Who knows, maybe the ball that vanished 天曉得，也許是那個
into childhood's thicket? 消失于童年灌木叢中的球？
There were doorknobs and doorbells 還有事前已被觸摸
where one touch had covered another 層層覆蓋的
beforehand. 門把和門鈴。
Suitcases checked and standing side by side. 檢查完畢后并排放置的手提箱。
One night, perhaps, the same dream, 有一晚，也許同樣的夢，
grown hazy by morning. 到了早晨變得模糊。
Every beginning 每個開始
is only a sequel, after all, 畢竟都只是續篇，
and the book of events 而充滿情節的書本
is always open halfway through. 總是從一半開始看起。
