[Julie Steiner]

Literal prose crib (mine, quibbles welcome):

Mirabeau Bridge

Under Mirabeau Bridge runs the Seine
          And our loves*
     It is necessary that I remember
Joy came always after pain

          Let the night come let the hour sound
          The days go away I remain

Hands in hands we stay face to face
          Whereas under
     The bridge of our arms passes
Eternal gazes' wave, so weary

          Let the night come let the hour sound
          The days go away I remain

Love goes away like this running water
          Love goes away
     Like [or "how"] life is slow
And like [or "how"] Hope is violent

          Let the night come let the hour sound
          The days go away I remain

They pass, the days, and they pass, the weeks
          Neither past time
     Nor loves come back
Under Mirabeau Bridge runs the Seine

          Let the night come let the hour sound
          The days go away I remain


* [In French, "loves" generally means "love affairs."]