Johann Wolfgang von Goethe – Come onda / As a wave

Katsushika Hokusai (1760-1849), Feminine wave

As a wave
 in the sea of life
 I know nothing about you,
and nothing I understand –
but I like nothingness
as it leads me to imagine you.

(Transl. by D. Foglia)

Come onda
nel mare della vita
nulla di te so e conosco,
ma questo nulla mi piace
e mi porta ad immaginarti.

This is a personal translation. Please contact me if you know another English translation.