Deep in the Back
Deep in the back
of the vast attic
where rats feed on poisoned wheat
a ray of sun lights up
the enormous pile of gazettes
out of which comes the musty odor
of a faded century
in the sky soon every light will go out.
Something
Called stone eater
a tiny worm consumes the slate
in which it hides
minute by minute time is
tightening its screws
shaken jewelry makes its sound
ants reside in a ruin
something
is always happening.
Edge of the Hearth
The outbuildings with no real use
are left to the rains
a peasant woman
has an edge of the black hearth
for a seat
the evening turns
in swirls of her breath
the wind in the hollow tree
why beings and things
she thinks
and not nothing.
Village Square
In the village square
at the foot of the church
one of the drinkers puts on
the kepi of his soldier friend as a joke
above them the hour strikes so loudly
they flinch
a horse that is unhitched
when it stamps the soft earth
radiates an abundant calm
they say to get there
leave before nightfall.
Quiet
There is that moment
of hearing water flowing underground
across the clay.
Quiet
the man says to the boy
holding his watch up to his ear
satisfied it ticks so well
in the middle of a tainted century.
A Night
Organ function to breaking down
the hand stays pressed
to the craggy wall
then the body with neither hearth nor home
continues on through a cold night
and starts forging words
to speak in the coming daylight.
___________________________
Earthly
translated by Andrew Seguin
The Song Cave, 2025
