英文欣赏：追忆似水年华
Can it really be sixty-two years ago that I first saw you?It is truly a lifetime, I know. But as I gaze into your eyes now, it seems
like only yesterday that I first saw you, in that small café in Hanover
Square.
From the moment I saw you smile, as you opened the door for that young
mother and her newborn baby. I knew. I knew that I wanted to share the rest of
my life with you.
I still think of how foolish I must have looked, as I gazed at you, that
first time. I remember watching you intently, as you took off your hat and
loosely shook your short dark hair with your fingers. I felt myself becoming
immersed in your every detail, as you placed your hat on the table and cupped
your hands around the hot cup of tea, gently blowing the steam away with your
pouted lips.
From that moment, everything seemed to make perfect sense to me. The people
in the café and the busy street outside all disappeared into a hazy blur. All I
could see was you.
All through my life I have relived that very first day. Many, many times I
have sat and thought about that the first day, and how for a few fleeting
moments I am there, feeling again what is like to know true love for the very
first time. It pleases me that I can still have those feelings now after all
those years, and I know I will always have them to comfort me.
Not even as I shook and trembled uncontrollably in the trenches, did I
forget your face. I would sit huddled into the wet mud, terrified, as the hails
of bullets and mortars crashed down around me. I would clutch my rifle tightly
to my heart, and think again of that very first day we met. I would cry out in
fear, as the noise of war beat down around me. But, as I thought of you and saw
you smiling back at me, everything around me would be become silent, and I would
be with you again for a few precious moments, far from the death and
destruction. It would not be until I opened my eyes once again, that I would see
and hear the carnage of the war around me.
I cannot tell you how strong my love for you was back then, when I returned
to you on leave in the September, feeling battered, bruised and fragile. We held
each other so tight I thought we would burst. I asked you to marry me the very
same day and I whooped with joy when you looked deep into my eyes and said “yes”
to being my bride.
I’m looking at our wedding photo now, the one on our dressing table, next
to your jeweler box. I think of how young and innocent we were back then. I
remember being on the church steps grinning like a Cheshire cat, when you said
how dashing and handsome I looked in my uniform. The photo is old and faded now,
but when I look at it, I only see the bright vibrant colors of our youth. I can
still remember every detail of the pretty wedding dress your mother made for
you, with its fine delicate lace and pretty pearls. If I concentrate hard
enough, I can smell the sweetness of your wedding bouquet as you held it so
proudly for everyone to see.
I remember being so over enjoyed, when a year later, you gently held my
hand to your waist and whispered in my ear that we were going to be a
family.
I know both our children love you dearly; they are outside the door now,
waiting.
Do you remember how I panicked like a mad man when Jonathon was born? I can
still picture you laughing and smiling at me now, as I clumsily held him for the
very first time in my arms. I watched as your laughter faded into tears, as I
stared at him and cried my own tears of joy.
Sarah and Tom arrived this morning with little Tessie. Can you remember how
we both hugged each other tightly when we saw our tiny granddaughter for the
first time? I can’t believe she will be eight next month. I am trying not to
cry, my love, as I tell you how beautiful she looks today in her pretty dress
and red shiny shoes, she reminds me so much of you that first day we met. She
had her hair cut short now, just like yours was all those years ago. When I met
her at the door her smile wrapped around me like a warm glove, just like yours
used to do, my darling.
I know you are tired, my dear, and I must let you go. But I love you so
much and it hurts to do so.
As we grew old together, I would tease you that you had not changed since
we first met. But it is true, my darling. I do not see the wrinkles and grey
hair that other people see. When I look at you now, I only see your sweet tender
lips and youthful sparkling eyes as we sat and had out first picnic next to that
small stream, and chased each other around that big old oak tree. I remember
wishing those first few days together would last forever. Do you remember how
exciting and wonderful those days were?
I must go now, my darling. Our children are waiting outside. They want to
say goodbye to you.
（兼职编辑：张博）
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