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A Kiss Upon the Lips

L1000420L (Leica D-lux 5)

The Valentine's Day in Hong Kong always sees troops of delivery persons busying around in the street and squeezing in public transport with bouquets and floral baskets. Such less romantic sight is no where to see if one knows its way to some less visited areas around town. And there one may find more matching scenes which better befit the day as today's shot does.

Let's pick from the history a lady's tender love letter to her lover. It was written by a German writer, Bettine Brentano (1785-1859) to Goethe.

"You know my heart; you know that all there is desire, thought, boding and longing; you live among spirits, and they give you divine wisdom. You must nourish me; you give all that in advance which I do not understand to ask for. My mind has a small embrace, my love a large one; you must bring them to a balance. Love cannot be quiet till the mind matches its growth; let me know when my heart is off the balance. I understand your silent signs. 
A look from your eyes into mine, a kiss from you upon my lips, instructs me in all, what might seem delightful to learn, to one who, like me, had experience from those. I am far from you; mine are become strange to me. I must never return in thought to that hour when you hold me in the soft fold of your arm. Then I begin to weep, but the tears dry again unawares. Yes, he reaches with his love (thus I think) over to me in this concealed stillness; and should not I, with my eternal undisturbed longing, reach to him in the distance? Ah, conceive what my heart has to say to you; it overflows with soft sighs all whisper(ing) to you. Be my only happiness on earth your friendly will to me. O, dear, give me but a sign that you are conscious of me."

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