You used to say to me 'I love you!', <br />But that was through your teeth, at night, <br />The bitter truth of 'I endure you'. <br />You almost uttered in the light. <br /> <br />I could believe your lips in darkness, <br />The wicked magic of your bed, <br />But though the words you spoke were honest, <br />I did not credit what you said. <br /> <br />I knew you - you were not a liar; <br />You would have liked to be in love. <br />Only at night could you deceive me, <br />When body drives the soul above. <br /> <br />But sober morning found you different. <br />Your mind was now the guiding force; <br />And when I asked you if you loved me, <br />I think you once replied 'Of course'. <br /> <br />The sudden war, the station platform, <br />Nowhere to kiss and hold you tight, <br />The battered old suburban carriage <br />To take me far into the night; <br /> <br />An evening without hope of loving; <br />No warmth, no happiness, no bliss; <br />And like a helpless cry of anguish, <br />Upon my sleeve, a tasted kiss. <br /> <br />And so that I should know the difference <br />From those old drunken words at night, <br />You suddenly said to me 'I love you!' <br />Your lips were calm, your words were right! <br /> <br />That you could be as you were that evening, <br />Seemed, till that evening, past belief! <br />'I love you! Love you!' Night; the station; <br />Your little hands so cold with grief…<br /><br />Konstantin Mikhailovich Simonov<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/you-used-to-say-to-me-i-love-you/
