Sometimes beating hard, sometimes at rest;
my heart knocks softly at the door of my chest.
As if in pain, as if to die,
As if it begs to break outside;
As if it fears the weight of my sorrow,
as if it hopes to see you tomorrow.
My heart knocks softly at the door of my chest;
sometimes beating hard, sometimes at rest.
a. (Literal Translation)
Listen to My Heart
sometimes stronger, sometimes softer;
my heart beats at the door of my chest.
as if it would hurt, as if it would die,
as if it would ask to come outside,
as if it would fear to die with me,
as if it would want to see you tomorrow too.
my heart beats at the door of my chest;
sometimes stronger, sometimes softer.
b. (Original poem in Romanian)
ascultă inima mea
când mai tare, când mai încet;
inima-mi bate la uşa din piept.
de parcă ar doare-o, de parcă-o să moară,
de parcă s-ar cere să iasă-n afară,
de parcă s-ar teme să moară cu mine,
de parcă ar vrea să te vadă şi mâine.
inima-mi bate la uşa din piept;
când mai tare, când mai încet.
The poem explores the interplay between physical sensations and emotional experiences, using the heartbeat as a metaphor for love, longing, and the vulnerability of existence. It conveys an intimate dialogue between the heart and the self, reflecting fear, desire, and hope.
The repetition of the opening and closing lines creates a cyclical structure, mimicking the constancy of the heartbeat and reinforcing the poem’s reflective nature.
The poem reflects the human condition—torn between fear of loss and the longing to love and be loved. The heart becomes a symbol of both physical life and emotional depth, embodying the fragility and resilience of existence.