I
The air cools,
the night crawls stealthily
like a lynx on forest path
and snow begins to fall
on the black statue
in the square,
a bird looks down
from its shoulder
to find a better shelter
from the cold.
II
I lived my life
and now night approaches –
I would be asked two questions:
did you love?
Indeed I did – so much and deeply:
the roses in my yard,
children’ s smiles,
stars winking from above,
even this winter cold with
fleecy snow – and him.
The second question:
did you sin?
and here I smile –
I’m too old to recollect.
– Gedda Ilves
