Blue Evenings

excerpt VICA'S DIARY Vica had forgotten her diary under her pillow. Usually, she kept it in the drawer of her nightstand and in the evening, before turning off the light, she would write down her impressions of that day. Mica found it by chance. She was there tidying the room. She did that almost every morning while Vica was at school: she came into the room, made the bed, cleaned the dust, then she opened the windows to refresh the room. Now that the window was open, she took the eiderdown and the pillow and as she did that she noticed a leather-bound notebook on the bed sheet. She thumbed in amazement. She did not know that Vica kept a diary. Here is what she read on the first page: Iaşi, 15 February 1953 Today Grig came back from Moscow and brought me this wonderful notebook. It was a wonderful surprise. I like it so much that I decided to keep my Diary in it. I am so glad he brought it! Vica Nothing was written on the second page. However, someone had clumsily drawn a kitten. On the third page there was another date and a few lines followed: Iaşi, 16 March 1953 I forgot to write in this Diary. From now on I am going to write my impressions every day. Today is a fine day. The sky is clear. Small white clouds are floating in the sky. They look like small ships. Holidays are beginning soon. Tonight I'm going with Mica and Grig to a birthday party. The seamstress must come and bring my new dress. I am going to play the piano. I can hardly wait! Vica Later Vica had apparently again forgotten to write down her "daily impressions." There were a number of pages, however, that contained souvenirs from friends: A souvenir for my good friend Vica. Sanda Iaşi, 30 March 1953 Ton amie qui t'aime Et qui pense à toi.1 Jo 30 mars 1953 Once we quarreled, it is true You're my friend again, aren't you? Ligia 30 III 1953 Rather than write lines without end Or poems by others that I don't understand I will sign my name below. That I love you, I'm sure you know. Andreea When your hair becomes gray And you are getting old A tender thought you might then have Of the good days of old. And you will look for this old book On dusty, barren shelves And you will find the names of those Who were your dear friends And among them, your Ana 12 April 1953 This album is a leaf in the spring of our lives And as time withers it, it scatters its blooms It's an opportunity for us in our old age To think back of the good old times. Nadia Yesterday I saw you dressed in blue And it certainly became you As blue is the color Of the angel you carry inside. Alina After this short collection of souvenirs a blank page followed. Mica smiled, amused, and wanted to put the notebook back on the nightstand, but when she turned the page she saw Vica's small handwriting again. Tineretului, 1960
1 Your friend that loves youAnd is thinking of you (French, in the original).


by Costache Anton (b. 1930)