Bright stars, I wish I could be as firm as you-
But not alone in the night sky,
Have a pair of eyes that never close,
Like an ascetic hermit who stays up all night,
Staring at the sea, washing the cliffs of the world,
Like a priest taking a bath,
Or overlook the wasteland and mountains below.
Covered with soft falling snow—
That's not true-it's always strong,
Lying on my beautiful lover's chest,
I can always feel its ups and downs,
Always awake, in sweet uneasiness,
Always, always listen to her gentle breath,
Live like this forever-or faint and die.
The first eight lines talk about the sweetness of love, and the last six lines describe the pain of the body. The first half of the poem reveals pure and happy feelings, while the second half focuses on desire. This poem is also famous because Keats truly describes his love for Braun.