Turn left turn right

Love at First Sight

Wislawa Szymborska 

Both are convinced that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together. Beautiful is such a certainty, but uncertainty is more beautiful. Because they didn't know each other earlier, they suppose that nothing was happening between them. What of the streets, stairways and corridors where they could have passed each other long ago? I'd like to ask them whether they remember-- perhaps in a revolving door ever being face to face? an "excuse me" in a crowd or a voice "wrong number" in the receiver. But I know their answer: no, they don't remember. They'd be greatly astonished to learn that for a long time chance had been playing with them. Not yet wholly ready to transform into fate for them it approached them, then backed off, stood in their way and, suppressing a giggle, jumped to the side

There were signs, signals: but what of it if they were illegible. Perhaps three years ago, or last Tuesday did a certain leaflet fly from shoulder to shoulder? There was something lost and picked up. Who knows but what it was a ball in the bushes of childhood. There were doorknobs and bells on which earlier touch piled on touch. Bags beside each other in the luggage room. Perhaps they had the same dream on a certain night, suddenly erased after waking. Every beginning is but a continuation, and the book of events is never more than half open. -translated by Walter Whipple

I encountered this poem form the movie Turn Left turn Right. I just can't help but love it, every words are like bullets penetrating my innermost emotion. It surely captures the essence of what is really Love at first sight. That it's not only about the superficial attraction nor an ephemeral emotion. When I read it, I was like being bewitched by the magic of love, touching my torn and worn out heart to be renewed just as the first time I felt the surge of love, melting the cold barriers build up by disappointments, failures and heartaches, allowing hope to drown the rooted bitterness in my heart. I was never a believer of Love at first sight but now after reading the poem, my perception of the said matter was blown away and I am left dumbfounded.