Ship of tears

My heart weeps

When Cio-Cio San sings:

Un bel dì, vedremo

(One fine day, we’ll see)

levarsi un fil di fumo

(a strand of smoke)

sull' estremo confin del mare.

(in the far horizon, on the sea)

E poi la nave appare.

(And then the ship appears)

What dreams

Does that ship carry?

What treasure-chest of tears?

Aged in charred-hard barrels:

Golden? Amber?

Red? Or brown …

Salty tears,

From fledgling love?

(Found-and-lost.)

Sweet-laced drops,

From mellow love?

(Lost-and-found.)

Spicy tears,

From zesty love?

(Found-and-kept.)

What dreams

Does that ship carry?

What treasure-chest of jewels?

Caged in steel-strapped bands,

To be unleashed on lovers’ arms.

My heart weeps

As Madama Butterfly sings:

Un bel dì, vedremo

(One fine day, we will see.)

When the ship appears . . .