The Same Inside

Walking to your place for a love feast
I saw at a street corner
An old bagger woman

I took her hand
Kissed her delicate cheek,
We talked, she was
the same inside as I am, from the same kind,
I sensed this instantly
As a dog knows by scent
Another dog.

I gave her money,
I could not part from her.
After all, one needs
Someone who is close.

And I no longer knew
Why I was walking to your place

Anna Świrszczyńska
Translation from Polish: Czeslaw & Leonard Nathan