To joy, to delight, girlfriend. The floor you walk on
With each step offers you a grave there.
Let us walk slowly. Notice that the ground
Does not feel our step.
Let us lay down here. Take me in your arms.
Let each hide within the bosom of the other.
That way death will not see us,
Or we will die together.
Do not say a lot. One murmured word
Is enough, in secret, from the inner ear down to the foot.
Nothing, nothing from your voice, — not even a breath,
Nor a stronger gasp.
Tell me only with the movement of your eyes.
Get me used to liking their intelligence.
Save me your lips, blood-red by enchantment,
Only for my kisses.
To joy, to delight, girlfriend. The floor you walk on
With each step offers you a grave there.
Let us walk slowly. Notice that the ground
Does not feel our step.
——
Luís José Junqueira Freire (1832–1855) was a Romantic poet and was granted membership in the Brazilian Academy of Letters.