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ocated outside the geopolitical and historical confines of Europe. The (European) flight from history to the “fresh, green breast of the new world” (F. Scott Fitzgerald) may and in fact has been inter- preted as a regressive fantasy of patriarchal cultures (see Kolodny 1975; Westling 1996). But Fitzgerald’s famous image of America as a wet nurse’s welcoming body is also a powerful symbol of modern ci- vilization’s paradoxical and troubled relationship to nature. The in- tense longing for cultural and historical innocence, articulated in the closing scene of The
Citation preview
22SHORTERPIECES
by
RobertDesnos
translatedby
JonathanP.Eburne,MaryAnnCaws,MartinSorrell,PatriciaTerry,and
KatharineConley
piecesindividuallyorcollectivelyavailableforanyonewhowantstoreadanyofthem
1
ARTPOETIQUE
InthebackofthethroatPickedupinthemudandtheslimeSpitout,throwup,castoffIamthepoemwitnesstothebreathofmymasterDiscard,rubbish,garbageLikethediamond,theflame,andthesky'sblueNotpure,notvirginButkissedineverycornerkissedscrewedsuckedfuckedrapedIamtheversewitnesstothebreathofmymasterScrewingandrapingNothingdirtierthanadefloweringOof!that'sitandyougetoutGoodmuddyearthwhereIputmyfootIamthewindthegreatwindandtheseaIamtheversewitnesstothebreathofmymasterItcracksitfartsitsingsitsnoresGreatwindstormheartoftheworldThereisnomorebadweatherIloveallweatherIloveweatherIlovethegreatwindThegreatwindcriessnowsunfireandeverythingoftheearthmuddyordryAndletitcrumble!AndletitrotRotoldflesholdbonesThroughthebackofthethroatAndletitbreaktheteethandsetthegumstobleedingIamtheversewitnesstothebreathofmymasterThewaterrunswithitsabsurdhummingbirdsongOfnightingaleandalcoholburninginacasserolerunningalongmybodyAmushroomrotsinthecorneroftheshadowyforest
whereawomanofgod'sthunderislostandsplashesbarefootItreallyrotsatthefootoftheoaksAgoldenmedalwon'tholdoutIt'ssoftDeepItgivesItreallyrotsatthefootoftheoaks
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AmoonfromlongagoIsreflectedinthisrotSmellofdeathsmelloflifeembracingsmelldrollcreaturesofshadowmustberollingaboutandfightingandembracinghereItreallyrotsatthefootoftheoaksAndthatbreathesstillharderatthesummitNetsupsetandthefamoushummingbirdsjustnowThrowndownNightingalesdelungedFoliageofimmensepalpitatingforestsDirtiedandwrinkledliketoiletpaperTumultuousrisingtidesofthesummitoftheforestsyourwavespulluptowardstheskytheplumphillsinafoamofclearingsandpasturesveinedwithriversandmineralsFinallyhereitiscomingfromitslairThebleedingflayedonesingingwithhisthroataliveNonailsattheendofhisfingersOrpheustheycallhimColdkissertheconfidentofSyblsBacchuscastratoravingandfortunrtellerOnceamanofgoodearthcomeforthfromgoodseedbyagoodwindSpeaksbleedsdreamsTeethbrokenkidneyssplit,arteriesknottedHeartofnothingWhiletheriverrunsrollsinebriatesgrotesquewrecksofbargeswithcoalrunningReachestheplainreachestheseaFoamrollingandwearingoutOnthesandsaltcoralIwillenterinyourwavesAftertheriverexhaustedWatchoutforyourFLOTTES!Foryourcorals,yoursand,yoursaltatyourfeastsIssuedforthefromthewallswithpasswordsBythebackofthethroatsBythebackoftheteeth
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GoodweatherFormenworthyofthenameGoodweatherfortheriversandtreesGoodweatherfortheseaThefoamandthemudremainAndthejoyoflivingAndahandinmineAndthejoyoflivingIamtheversethewitnessofthebreathofmymaster.
translatedbyJonathanP.Eburne
4
THEWINDATNIGHT
OnoceanicoceansthesunksinkthedoomeddiechasingchasersringdancingrondosGodlygods!Humanhumans!WithmydigitaldigitsIdismantlebrainybrains
Suchagonisingagony!Butmasteredmistresseshavehirsutehair
HeavenlyheavensEarthlyearth
Butwhereisheavenonearth
translatedbyMartinSorrell
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ONLYONETHINGONHISMIND
I'dspunitoutthatmorningbrushingtheteethofthelovelyanimalwhichpatientlyI'mtaming.
Achameleon.
Thepleasantcreaturesmoked,asperusual,afewcigarettes,afterwhichIleft.
ItwasonthestairsImether:
Imauvesaidshe,andwhilemyselfIcrystalinopenskiesbeneathherfluentgazeinmydirection.
Thenpadlockandmistress!YouyellowpineinvesselfineItoseatifroadvault.
Thestairs,alwaysthestairsturninglibraryandthecrowdabysmallylowerthansuncanclash.
Backupstairs!Butinvain,memoriesthatsardine!hardly,hardlyabuttontirralirratill.Fallfall!
Here'stheverdict:
thedancerwillbeshotatdawnwearingtutuandbijouxsacrificedintheflamesofherbody.Soldier,bijouxblood.!
ButalreadyImirror.
Mistressyoublacksquareandifthecloudsofawhileagoforgetmenot,theymillinsempiternaleternity.
translatedbyMartinSorrell
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MOUTHSHAPEDHEART
Hercoatwasdragginglikeasinkingsunandthepearlsofhernecklacewereaslovelyasteeth.
Asnowofbreaststhatthehousesurroundedandafireofkissesinthehearth.
Andthediamondsofherringsshonebrighterthananyeyes.
Nightvisitor,Godbelieveinme!Ihailyougraciouswithfullnessblessedbethewombofyourfruit.
Outsidethereedsofdelicateproportionscurvegently.
Thecatsscreechlouderthanweathercocks.
Tomorrowatdaybreak,breatheroseswithdawn'sfingersandtheshiningcloudwilltransformsoftestdowntoastar.
Inthenightitwastheswearingofrailsatthenonchalanttrainsnearthegardenswheretheforgottenrosesareuprootedloveaffairs.
Nightvisitor,onedayIshallliedowninawindingsheetasinasea.
Yourlooksarestarbeamsthestreamersonyourdressroadstotheinfinite.
Comeinaballoonlightasaheartinspiteofthemagnet,anarchoftriumphinitsform.
TheflowersoftheorchestrapitbecometheliveliesthandsofHaarlem.
Thecenturiesofourlifelastscarcelyseconds.Scarcelydosecondslastloves.
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Ateachbendintheroadarightanglelikeanoldman.
Thenightquietasawolfclimbsintomybed.
Visitor!Visitor!yourshieldsarebreasts!
Inthestudiovipersrearupasmeanastongues.Andtheflowerlikeironviceshavebecomehands.
Withwhoseforeheadswillyoulapidatethepeoples?Whatlionfollowsyouroaringlouderthanastorm?
Herecomethenightmaresofphantoms.
Andtheroofofthepalateslammedasloudlyasthedoorsofthetomb.
Theynailedmewithnailsasthinasthedeadinadeathofsilence.
Nowyouwillpaynomoreattentiontothebirdsofthecosmicsong.
ThespongeIwashmyselfwithisonlyadrippingbrainandknivespiercemewiththesharpnessofyourlooks.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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DOOROFTHESECONDINFINITE
ToAntoninArtaud
TheperiscopeinkwellwaitsformewheretheroadturnsmypenholderreturnstoitsshellThesheetofpaperunfurlsitsgreatwhitewingsPrettysoonitstwoclawswilltearoutmyeyesIwillseenothingofmyformerbodymyformerbody!YougottoseeitalldressedupOnthemostridiculousdayThewomenputtheirjewelsintheirmouthlikeDemosthenesButIamtheinventorofatelephoneinglassfromBohemiaandEnglishtobaccoindirectrelationoffear!
translatedbyPatriciaTerry
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ARBITRARYFATEToGeorgesMalkine
Herecomesthetimeofthecrusades.
Throughtheclosedwindowthebirdsinsistonspeakinglikefishinanaquarium.Attheshopwindowaprettywomansmiles.
HappinessyouareonlysealingwaxandIgobylikeafirefly.
Anumberofguardianspursueaninoffensivebutterflyescapedfromtheasylum.
UndermyhandshebecomeslacepantsandyoureaglefleshohmydreamwhenIcaressyou!
Tomorrowburialswillbefreetherewillbenomorecatchingcoldsthelanguageofflowerswillbespokenlightwillbecastbylampsunknowntothisday.
Buttodayistoday.
IfeelthatmybeginningiscloselikeJunewheatPolicemenhadmethehandcuffs.
Thestatuesturnawaywithoutobeying.OntheirbaseIshallwriteinsultsandthenameofmyworstenemy.
Thereinthedistantoceanbetweentidesalovelywoman'sbodycausesthesharkstodrawback.
Theyrisetothesurfacetolookatthemselvesintheairanddarenotbitethebreaststhedeliciousbreasts.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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IFYOUKNEW
Farfrommeandlikethestars,thesea,andallthepropsofpoeticlegend.
Farfrommeandpresentallthesamewithoutyourknowledge,FarfrommeandstillmoresilentbecauseIimagineyouendlessly,Farfromme,mybeautifulmirageandmyeternaldream,youcannotknow.
Ifyouknew.
Farfrommeandperhapsstillfartherfrombeingunawareofmeandstillunaware.
Farfrommebecauseyoudoubtlessdonotlovemeor,notsodifferent,Idoubtyourlove.
Farfrommeforyoucleverlyignoremypassionatedesires.
Farfrommeyouarecruel.
Ifyouknew.
Farfromme,ohjoyousastheflowerdancingintheriveronitswaterystem,ohsadassevenintheeveninginthemushroomfields.
Farfrommestillsilentasinmypresenceandstilljoyousasthestorkshapedhourfallingfromonhigh.
Farfrommeatthemomentwhenthealembicssing,whenthesilentandnoiseseacurlsuponthewhitepillows.
Ifyouknew.
Farfromme,ohmypresentpresenttorment,farfrommewiththesplendidsoundofoystershellscrunchedunderthenightwalker'sstep,atdawn,
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whenhepassesbythedoorofrestaurants.Ifyouknew.
Farfromme,willedandmaterialmirage.
Farfrommeanislandturnsasideatthepassingofships.
Farfrommeacalmherdofcattlemistakesthepath,stopsstubbornlyatthebrinkofasteepprecipice,farfromme,ohcruelone.
Farfromme,afallingstarfallsinthenightbottleofthepoet.Hecorksitinstantlytowatchthestarenclosedwithintheglass,theconstellationscometolifeagainstthesides,farfromme,youarefarfromme.
Ifyouknew.
Farfrommeahouseisbuiltjustnow.
Awhiteclothedworkeratopthestructuresingsasadbriefsongandsuddenly,inthehodofmortarthereappearsthefutureofthehouse:lovers'kissesanddoublesuicidesandnakednessintheroomsoflovelyunknowngirlsandtheirmidnightdreams,andthevoluptuoussecretssurprisedbytheparquetfloors.
Farfromme,Ifyouknew.
IfyouknewhowIloveyouandthoughyoudonotloveme,howIamhappy,howIamstrongandproud,withyourimageinmymind,toleavetheuniverse.
HowIamhappyenoughtoperishfromit.
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Ifyouknewhowtheworldsubmitstome.
Andyou,ohbeautifulunsubmissiveone,howyouarealsomyprisoner.
OhfarfrommetowhomIsubmit.
Ifyouknew.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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THEVOICEOFROBERTDESNOS
Soliketheflowerandthebreezelikethewater'sflowingwithitspassingshadowslikethesmileglimpsedthatfamousmidnightsolikeeverythinglikejoyandsadnessit'spastmidnightitsnakedtorsorisingabovebelfreysandpoplarsIsummontomeallthoselostinthecountrysideoldcorpsesyoungfelledoaksthethreadsofclothrottingonthegroundandthelinendryingnearthefarmsIsummontometornadoesandhurricanestempeststyphoonscyclonestidalwavesearthquakesIsummontomevolcanosmokeandthatofcigarettessmokeringsfromluxurycigarsIsummontomelovesandloversIsummontomethelivingandthedeadIsummontomegravediggersIsummonmurdersIsummonexecutionersIsummonpilotsbuildersandarchitectsMurdersIsummonfleshIsummontheoneIloveIsummontheoneIloveIsummontheoneIlovetriumphantmidnightunfoldsitssatinwingsandalightsonmybedbelfreysandpoplarsbendtomedesiretheformerfallinruinthelatterfadethoselostinthecountrysidefindtheirwayinfindingmetheoldcadaversresuscitateatmyvoicetheyoungfelledoaksbecomegreentheshredsofclothrottinginthegroundandontheground
clackatmyvoicelikethebannerofrebellionthelinendryingaroundthefarmsdressesadorablewomenwhomIdonotadorewhocometomeobeymyvoiceandadoreme
tornadoestwistinmymouthhurricanesreddenmylipsevenmoretempestsgrowlatmyfeettyphoonsrumplemyhairevenmore
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Ireceivethedrunkenkissesofcyclonestidalwavesrushforwardtodieatmyfeetearthquakesdestroyonlyatmycommandvolcanosmokeclothesmeinitsvaporsandcigarettesmokeperfumesmeandsmokeringsfromcigarscrownmelovesandlovesolongpursuedtakerefugeinmeloverslistentomyvoicethelivingandthedeadsubmittome
theformergreetingmecoldlythelatterinfriendship
gravediggersleavegraveshalfdugdeclaringthatIalonecanordertheirnightlylabor
murderssaluteexecutionersinvoketherevolutioninvokemyvoiceinvokemynamepilotssteeraccordingtomyeyesbuildersgrowdizzylisteningtomearchitectsleaveforthedesertmurdersblessmefleshquiversatmycall
theoneIlovedoesnotlistentometheoneIlovedoesnothearmetheoneIlovedoesnotanswerme.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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OBSESSION
Ibringyouabitofseaweedwhichwastangledwiththeseafoamandthiscomb
Butyourhairismoreneatlyfixedthanthecloudswiththewindwithcelestialcrimsonglowinginthemandaresuchthatwithquiveringsoflifeandsobssometimesbetweenmyhandstheydiewiththewavesandthereefsofthestrandsoabundantlythatweshallnotsoonagaindespairofperfumesandtheirflightateveningwhenthiscombmarksmotionlessthestarsburiedintheirrapidandsilkyflowtraversedbymyhandsseekingstillattheirrootthehumidcaressofaseamoredangerousthantheonewherethisseaweedwasgatheredwiththefrothscatteredbyatempest.
Astardyingislikeyourlips.Theyturnblueasthewinespilledonthetablecloth.
Aninstantpasseswithamine'sprofundity.WithamuffledcomplainttheanthracitefallsinflakesonthetownHowcolditisintheimpassewhereIknewyou.
AforgottennumberonahouseinruinsThenumber4Ithink.
BeforetoolongI'llfindyouagainnearthesechinaastersTheminesmakeamuffledsnoringTheroofsarestrewnwithanthracite.
Thiscombinyourhairliketheendoftheworld!
thesmoketheoldbirdandthejayTheretherosesandtheemeraldsarefinishedThepreciousstonesandtheflowersTheearthcrumblesandstarsscreechinglikeanironacrossmotherofpearlButyourneatlyfixedhairhastheshapeofahand.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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SKYSONG
ThefloweroftheAlpssaidtotheseashell:youareshining
Theseashellsaidtothesea:youresound
Theseasaidtotheboat:youquiver
Theboatsaidtothefire:youareglowing
Thefiresaidtome:Iglowlessbrightlythanhereyes
Theboatsaidtome:Iquiverlessthanyourheartwhensheappears
Theseasaidtome:Iresoundlessthanhernameinyourlove
Theseashellsaidtome:Ishinelessthanthephosphorousofdesireinyouremptydream
ThefloweroftheAlpssaidtome:sheislovely
Isaid:sheislovely,sheislovely,sheistouching.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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WITHOAKENHEARTANDBIRCHBARK
Withthetenderandhardwoodofthesetrees,withoakenheartandbirchbark,howmanyskiescouldonemake,howmanyoceans,howmanyslippersfortheprettyfeetofIsabellatheVague?
Withoakenheartandbirchbark.
Withtheskyhowmanyglancescouldonemake,howmanyshadowsbehindthewall,howmanyslipsforthebodyofIsabellatheVague?
Withoakenheartandbirchbark,withthesky.
Withoceanshowmanyflamescouldonemake,howmanyreflectionsatpalaceedge,howmanyrainbowsabovetheheadofIsabellatheVague?
Withoakenheartandbirchbark,withthesky,withoceans.
Withslippershowmanystarscouldonemake,howmanypathsinthenight,tracesintheashes,howmanystairscouldoneclimbtomeetIsabellatheVague?
Withoakenheartandbirchbark,withthesky,withoceans,withslippers.
ButIsabellatheVague,youknow,isonlyanimageofdreamseenthroughthepolishedleavesofthetreeofdeathandoflove.
Withoakenheartandbirchbark.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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NIGHTSUICIDE
Thegreenreedsbowdownwhenthedragonflyappearsatthebendofthepath
Igotowardsatombstoneclearerthanwhitesnowlikewhitemilkwhitelimestonewhitewalls
ThedragonflysplashesaboutinthepoolsofmilkTheglassarmortremblesshiversstartswalkingRainbowsknotupLouisXVstyleWhat?AlreadytheearthhiddenbyourpathholdsupitshandStruggleswiththeglassarmorKnocksatthedoorsFloatsintheairYellsMoansweepsah!Ah!Ah!Ah!FurrowyoudieinthesoundbluerockGreatmorselsofspongesfallingfromtheskycoverupcemeteriesWinerunsthunderousMilkhiddeneartharmorstruggleonthegrassturningnowrednowwhiteThunderandlightningandrainbowAh!FurrowyoucreviceandyousingThelittlegirlgoestoschoolrecitingherlesson
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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NOWIT'SNIGHT
You'llgoawaywhenyouwanttoThebedclosesandunlacesvoluptuouslikeablackvelvetcorsetAndtheshininginsectrestsonthepillowBurstsopenandregainstheBlacknessThehammeringwavearrivesstayssilentSamoathebeautifulfallsasleepinthecottonRabbitburrowwhatareyoudoingwiththecurtains?
rollingthemaboutinthemudUnderaluckystarandinthedepthsofallmudTheshipwreckisstressedundertheeyelidIcountanddescribethissleepIgathertheflasksofnightandarrangethemonashelfThewoodenbird'swarblingmingleswiththesmashofcorkslikealookDon'tgotheredon'tdietherewrongplaceforjoyOnemoreguestattheroundtableintheclearingofemeraldgreen
andresoundinghelmetsnearaheapofswordsandbashedinarmorLovingnerveslampextinguishedatday'sendIamsleeping
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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EBONYLIFE
AfrightfulcalmwillmarkthisdayAndtheshadowofstreetlampsandfirehydrantswilltireoutthelightAllwillfallquietthemostsilentandthechattiestFinallythesquallinginfantswilldieTugboatstrainswindWillslipalonginsilenceWe'llhearthegreatvoicecomingfromfartopassoverthetownWe'llawaititalongtimeThentowardsmilord'ssunWhenthedustofthestonesandtheabsenceoftears
makeupthesun'sdressonthegreatdesertedsquaresFinallywe'llhearthevoicecomingMutteringlongatthedoorsItwillpassoverthetownsnatchingdrapesbreakingpanesWe'llhearitWhatsilencebeforeitstillgreaterthesilenceitwon'tdisturb
butaccuseitofthemisdemeanorofsuddendeathitwillbrandanddenounce.
OhdayofmisfortuneandjoyThedaythenearbydaywhenthevoicewillpassoverthetown.
AphantomseagulltoldmeshelovedmeasmuchasIloveherThatthisgreatterriblesilencewasmyloveThatthewindbearingthevoicewasthegreatrevoltoftheworldAndthatthevoicewouldbeinmyfavor.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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ATDAYBREAK
Willtheschistbrightenthewhitenightofcork?
We'llbelostinmidnight'scorridorwiththecalmhorrorofthedyingsob
Comeallyoueverfamouslizardsclimbingplantsdigitalflesheaters
ComevinesWhistleofrevoltsComegiraffesIinviteyoutoafeastSograndthelightoftheglasseswillequaltheauroraborealisWomen'snailswillbestrangledswansNotfarfromhereagrassisdryingbytheroadside.
translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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SHADOWS!OHSHADOWS!
Frightenedsycamorefamousdivisionoftimeflowerofanimalsilence
OhredredandblueredandyellowsilexsurgingforthfromthehollowofthehandsofnightsandplainsinferociousexclamationsofthegazeplumburstofglassshineandacrobaticarmpitortowersraisedfromtheverydepthsoftheabysstothevoicethatsaysIadoreit.
GreetingsharderthanmarbleandmoredazzlingthanthemovableearthandmoremajesticohcloudthanthenightingaleofBrazilianrosewoodandfright.
MetalorgyandI'mspeakingofthebumpsoftoadsandImeanoftheskyandIimagineofthesun
Friends,let'sfallsilentbeforethegreatenclosedabyssesofthewidowincrepedechine.
IfyouwanttoobeyherfinallyinseaandnightthroughthesheetsofwhitelinenIbearwitnesstoandwewerethefirsttoknowourwhitesheets.
Ferociousandhesaystostorkandsnake:Comeforthjustatmidnightinmilkandeyes.
Ifyouleavehimnearagaslighthowbeautifultheflowerswillbeincupsofcandy.
Iwantandyoucommandandwildchirpingintheambernecklacesdiewitharainofsparksandflappingclothyouscarcelyknewitbutyouguessedit.
Shatteredbottlefoldingflowerandhowbeautifulwerehereyesandhandsofthevolcanowhichgroovesitah!
Sothenburstapartsomelobsterofamicroscopiclensevolvinginacloudlessskywon'theevermeetacometoracrow?
Youreyesyourlovelyeyesdevourtheobscurityofsilenceandforgetting.translatedbyMaryAnnCaws
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WORDSOFTHEROCKS
Thequeenoftheazureandthefoolofemptinesspassinacab
AteachwindowmanesofhairleanoutcallingSeeyousoon!
Seeyousoon!saythejellyfishSeeyousoon!saythesilksSaysmotherofpearlsaythepearlssaythediamonds
SoonanightofnightswithoutmoonorstarAnightofallthelittoralsandofallforestsAnightofallloveandofalleternity
ApaneshattersinthewatchedwindowAragisclackingoverthetragiccountryside
YouwillbealoneAmongthemotherofpearldustandthecarbonizeddiamondsThedeadpearlsAloneamongthesilkslikedressesemptiedatyourapproachingAmongthetracksofjellyfishfleeingwhenyouliftedyourgazeAloneperhapsthemanesofhairwillnotfleeWillobeyyou
Theywillbendinyourfingerslikeirrevocablecondemnations
LonghairofgirlswholovedmeAndwhomIdidnotloveRemainatthewindowsohmanesofhair!
AnightofallthelittoralnightsAnightoflusterandoffuneralsAstaircaseunwindsundermyfeetandthenightandthedayrevealtomyfateonlyshadowsandfailure
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TheimmensecolumnofmarbledoubtalonesustainstheskyabovemyheadTheemptybottleswhoseglassIshatterintodazzlingsplintersThesmellofcorkabandonedbytheseaThenetsofboatsimaginedbylittlegirlsThedebrisofmotherofpearlslowlypowderingAneveningofalltheeveningsofloveandeternity
Theinfiniteprofoundpaindesirepoetryloverevelationmiraclerevolutionlovetheprofoundinfiniteenvelopsmewithtalkativeshadows
Theeternalinfinitesshatterinsplintersohmanesofhair!
ItwillbeanightofnightswithoutmoonorpearlWithoutevenbrokenbottles.
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INLONGAGO
InlongagoIpassedbythecastleofleavesTheywereslowlyturningyellowinthemossAndfarofftheseashellswerehangingonhardtotherocksinthesea
YourmemoryorratheryourtenderpresencewasinthesameplaceTransparentpresenceandmine
Nothinghadchangedbuteverythinghadagedatthesametimeasmytemplesandmyeyes
Don'tyoulovethiscommonplace?letmebeletmebethisironicsatisfactionissorare
Everythinghadagedbutyourpresence
InlongagoIpassedbythepondofthesingledayThewaveswerestillillusory
Thehulkoftheshipwreckedvesselyouknowyourememberthatnightoftempestandofkisses?wasashipwreckedvesseloradelicatewoman'shatrolledbythewindintothespringtimerainthatwasinthesameplace
Andthenphooeylalalalet'sdanceintheblackthorns!TheaperitifshadchangedtheirnamesandcolorTherainbowsframingthemirrorsInlongagoyoulovedme.
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FROMTHEMARBLEROSETOTHEIRONROSE
Themarbleroseimmenseandwhitewasaloneonthedesertedsquarewheretheshadowstretchedouttoinfinity.
Andthemarblerosealoneunderthesunandthestarswasqueenofsolitude.
Andordorlessthemarbleroseonherrigidstalkatthesummitofthegranitepedestalwasstreamingwithallthefloodsofthesky.
Themoonpausedpensiveinherglacialheartandthegoddessesofthegardensthegoddessesofmarblecametotrytheircoldbreastsagainstherpetals.
Theglassroseresoundedwithallthesoundsofthelittoral.
Therewasnotonesobofabrokenwavewhichdidn'tmakehertremble.
Aboutherfragilestalkandhertransparentheartrainbowswereturningwiththeplanets.
Therainslidindelicateglobesdownherleavessetmoaningbythewindsometimeswithfearofstreamsandglowworms.
Thecoalrosewasablackphoenixwhichthepowdertransformedtoafirerose.
Butceaselesslycomeforthfromtheshadowycorridorsoftheminewheretheminersgatheredherrespectfullytotakehertodaylightinherveinofanthracitethecoalrosekeptwatchattheportalsofthedesert.
Theblottingpaperroseusedtobleedsometimesattwilightwhentheeveningcametokneelatherfeet.
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Theblottingpaperroseguardianofallsecretsandabadcounselorbledwithathickerbloodthanseafoamandwhichwasnotherown.
ThecloudroseappearedoverthecondemnedcitiesatthehourofvolcaniceruptionsatthehouroffiresatthehourofriotsandabovePariswhenthecommunemixedtheirisedbeingsofpetrolandthesmellofpowdershewaslovelyonthetwentyfirstofJanuarylovelyinthemonthofOctoberinthecoldwindofthesteppeslovelyin1905atthehourofmiraclesatthehouroflove.
Thewoodrosepresidedatthegallows.
Shefloweredatthetopoftheguillotinethensleptinthemossoftheimmenseshadowofmushrooms.
Theironrosehadbeenhammeredforcenturiesbyforgersofsparks.
Eachofherleaveswasgreatlikeanunknownsky.Attheslightestshockshegaveoffthenoiseofthunder.Buthowgentleshewastodespairinggirlsinlovetheironrose.
Themarblerosetheglassrosethecoalrosetheblottingpaperrosethecloudrosethewoodrosetheironrosewillalwaysfloweragainbuttodaytheyaredepetaledonyourcarpet.
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Whoareyou?youwhocrushunderyournakedfeetthefugitivedebrisofthemarblerosetheglassrosethecoalrosetheblottingpaperrosethecloudrosethewoodrosetheironrose.
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APPARITION
Bornfrommud,sprungheavenwards,morefloatingthanacloud,harderthanmarble,
Bornofjoy,sprungfromsleep,morefloatingthanflotsam,harderthanaheart,
Bornofitsheart,sprungfromtheskies,morefloatingthansleep,harderthantheheavens,
Born,sprung,floatingmorehardandmoresky,moreheartandmoremarble,
Andnomoreofsleep,nomoreofcloudsandnomoreofflotsam,andsomuchsomore,
Butfromfloatingsleeptoheartofmarblescatteredlikeflotsam,Downameagerlandscapeskyspringingandfloatinglikeaheart...
Andbleeding,ohbleedingbleedingsomuchThatsomuchmarble,abandoned,laidout,standingasitsprang,Willfinishupfloatinglikeflotsam.
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Butit'snomoreaboutfloatingorspringingorhardening.
But,formpuremud,Makingcement,marble,sky,cloud,joyandflotsamAndaheart,itgoeswithoutsaying,andeverythingsaidthusfarAndsleep,lovelysleep,goodsleep,AgoodsleepofmudBornofcoffeeandnightandcoalandinkandwidow'sweedsAndahundredmillionblackAndtheembraceoftwoblacksbeneaththeshadeofpinetreesAndebonyandmultitudesofcrowsperchedoncarnage...
Sothatatlast,recoveringtheuniverse,TheremayblazeAbouquet,animmensebouquetofredroses.
translatedbyMartinSorrell
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FEASTOFCORPUSDIABOLI
ThelastdropletofwinecatchesfireinthebottomoftheglassWhereachateauhasjustappeared.
Thegnarledtreesthelinetheroutebowdownbeforethetraveler.
Hecomesfromthenearestvillage,Hecomesfromafardistanttown,Justpassingbythebaseofthebelltowers.
Atthewindowheseearedstarstir,Descend,shakingasitmovesDownthewhiteroad,theblackcountryside.
Itheadsforthetraveller,whowatchesitarive.
Foraninstantitshinesineachofhiseyes,thenalightsonhisforehead.
Startledbythisglacialglowilluminatinghim,Hewipeshisbrow.
Abubbleofwineformsonhisfinger.
Nowthemanmovesaway,gettingsmallerInthenight.
Hehaspassedclosetothatspringwhereyoucomeinthemorningtogatherfreshcress,Hehaspassedclosebytheabandonedhouse.
It'sthemanwiththedropofwineonhisbrow.
Atthismomenthe'sdancinginanimmenseroom,Abrilliantlylitroom,ItsburnishedparquetfloorDeepasamirrorflashinglight.
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HeandthewomanhedanceswitharealoneInthisimmenseroom,andhedancesTothesoundofapowderedglassorchestra.
AndthecreaturesofthenightContemplatethissolitarycoupledancing.
translatedbyMartinSorrells
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SPRING
You,RroseSelvy,wanderoutofreachInthespringcaughtupinlove'ssweat,Inthescentoftherosebuddingontowerwalls,inthefermentofwatersandearth.
Bleeding,aroseinhisside,thedancer'sstonebodyAppearsinthetheatreinthemidstofploughingAmute,blind,anddeafpeoplewillapplaudhisdanceandhisspringdeath.
Itissaid.ButthewordwritteninsootIserasedbythewhimsofthewindsunderfingersofrainthoughwehearandobeyit.
Atthewashhouse,wherethewaterruns,acloudpretendstobethesoapandthestormasitpushesbackthemomentwhenthesunwillbreakthebushesintoflower.
translatedbyKatharineConley
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