translated by Aaron Zaritzky

          1

I dropped a coin
Into the muddy—lake—
And I felt poorer—
But more immersed
In the Water Mansion
With no return—

          2

I saved in the sand the footprints
I did not make to find you
And the Sea—Envious monster—
Cannot wash them away—
So I set out for You
When I blindly pass through
The Silver Hall of Insomnia

          3

Thought unknowingly wanders
Toward the Highest Idea—
Though on the path—of thyme and stars—
It again mistakes
The Idea for Bitterness

                                    (1861)

Emily Dickinson

          1

Dejé caer la Moneda
en el Lago—tan turbio—
y me sentí más pobre—
pero más sumergida
en la Mansión del Agua que no vuelve—

          2

Tengo guardados en la arena
los pasos que no di para buscarte
y el Mar—monstruo de Celos—
no consigue borrarlos—
Por eso me encamino a Ti
cuando recorro a ciegas
la Galería de Plata del Insomnio—

          3

El Pensamiento vaga sin saberlo
hacia la Idea más Alta—
Aunque en su camino—de tomillo y de estrellas—
la vuelva a confundir con la Amargura—

                                     (1861)

One need not be a chamber—to be haunted—
One need not be a House—
The Brain—has Corridors surpassing 
Material Place—

Far safer, of a Midnight—meeting 
External Ghost—
Than an Interior—confronting—
That cooler—Host—

Far safer, through an Abbey—gallop—
The Stones a’chase—
Than moonless—One’s A’self encounter—
In lonesome place—

Ourself—behind Ourself—Concealed—
Should startle—most—
Assassin—hid in Our Apartment—
Be Horror’s least—

The Prudent—carries a Revolver—
He bolts the Door, 
O’erlooking a Superior Spectre
More near—