Trafika Europe 8 - Romanian Holiday

The Lover [Short Story] Translated by Andrew K. Davidson Revised translation by Daniela & Matt Riain

The history of Eugen the monk is made up of 200 events, both dramatic and memorable. He was never a handsome man. Nor capable. Nor was he stately. Nor was he even likeable. His power was rooted solely in desire, both subtle and firm. Some may still remember him: passing through the monastery gates in the mornings, his silhouette floating like a feather following behind a covered wagon. Without rushing in the slightest, he would go down the gray street where he would always stop in the shade of the grapevine canopy on the outskirts of

the Flower Market. Back then, the place was so crowded that people’s faces brushed together in passing, while the monk’s eyes would close, unable to grasp all the details of the rustling movements. In fact, he let himself get (become) drowsy on the aroma of the market, breathing in the heated oil of lily-of-the-valley or listening to the sighing of hundreds of underarms. It was not important to him where the scents came from, and if someone asked him - he only knew the names of three flowers. Usually, the monk thought of nothing. He was a languid man under

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