The Complete Poems

by Sappho

To a Friend Gone, Remember Honestly I wish I were dead. When she left me she wept profusely and told me, “Oh how we’ve suffered in all this. Psapfo, I swear I go unwillingly.” And I answered her, “Be happy, go and remember me, you know how we worshiped you. But if not, I want to remind you of beautiful days we shared, how you took wreaths of violets, roses and crocuses, and at my side tied them in garlands made of flowers round your tender throat, and with sweet myrrh oil worthy of a queen you anointed your limbs and on a soft bed gently you would satisfy your longing and how there was no holy shrine where we were absent, no grove no dance no sound”

Light I cannot imagine in the future any girl who looks on the light of the sun who will have your skill and wisdom.