I like the fact that…

I like the fact that you’re not mad about me,

I like the fact that I’m not mad for you,

And that the globe of planet earth is grounded

And will not drift away beneath our shoes.

I like the fact that I can laugh here loudly,

Not play with words, feel unashamed and loose

And never flush with stifling waves above me

When we brush sleeves, and not need an excuse.

I like the fact that you don’t feel ashamed

As you, before my eyes, embrace another,

I like the fact that I will not be damned

To hell for kissing someone else with ardor,

That you would never use my tender name

In vain, that in the silence of the church’s towers,

We’ll never get to hear the sweet refrain

Of hallelujahs sung somewhere above us.

With both, my heart and hand, I thank you proudly

For everything, – although you hardly knew

You loved me so: and for my sleeping soundly,

And for the lack of twilight rendezvous,

No moonlit walks with both your arms around me,

No sun above our heads or skies of blue,

For never feeling – sadly! – mad about me,

For me not feeling – sadly! – mad for you.

Marina Tsvetaeva