La petite Rose [English translation]

For little Rose

I had these roses sculptured,

those roses by the hands

of a humble Michael-Angelo

who creates for the angels

roses without scent.

For little Rose

the virtuoso's chisel

made, one by one,

strange pale coloured

petals which were laid out

in a precious case.

On Rose's roses

bit by bit the dew

of sorrow settles.

Nature in exchange

mixes into the tears

the morning dew.

Poor little thing

picked when hardly opened

by the fingers of fate

have you gained from the change,

are you with the angels,

or are you nothing at all any more?

For little Rose

I had these roses sculptured,

those roses by the hands

of a humble Michael-Angelo

who creates for the angels

roses without scent.

• Artist:Nana Mouskouri