I. On the Major Scale

You who have now forgotten me, you who once were mine;
Nevertheless, please return to this house divine
    Of dreams and of the past.

Still a sweet memory yet somewhat downcast,
Its ceilings carved with sacred oaths, ^[1]
    Populated with ghosts.

Here one finds books long lamented,
Necklaces and sachets still scented;
    Such familiar sights.

Something sad obscures the lights,
Yet… in the air lingers a nostalgic perfume
    As I wait for you.

Return to this house of the past, my friend,
And your room, which has lain dormant for years on end,
    Will awaken for you.

For, there, your order and law is all there is to attend to,
Which nothing will ever contradict or transgress,
    My master and my mistress.

Oh, the residue of your perfume leaves me in a haze… ^[2]
Everything in this house of the olden days
    Bears your dear mark.

Both the hearth and lamp are dark
In this flowerless room where I stand, arms open for you,
    You who are long overdue!

II. On the Minor Scale

Miraculously, who is here but you,
In your search for, across the bluish avenue,
    This house of the past.

Enter this dear house of desires downcast,
And see, under the ceilings carved with sacred oaths,
    Your nation of ghosts.

Re-enter this house where you will always be right,
Where nothing is changed, except the gold is less bright
    And the roses have faded.

And I, the same despite the years waited,
Welcome you, in this moment of great restoration,
    With all the same adoration.