KILLING TIME

Princess, I have absorbed your tears
and in them the secret of your heart,
but never fear, I swear it by your bed,
my tongue will not say it was captivated

by your mouth. I keep my promises.
When I was wretched and abandoned
and I sought refuge under your roof,
you sat me next to you at your table.

And not only there. But really, madam,
no matter how thin are the threads
woven into this redeeming custom,

this is still the foundation of our life,
and one eats at a pre-established hour,
more for killing time than because of hunger.