Translated by David Colmer


Bookkeeping

my accountant comes to visit
together we clear a table
for his leaning tower of folders
my sister comes in
she acts very cranky towards him
first she’s wearing a baggy tracksuit
the kind ballerinas wear when warming up
a little later an all denim outfit
what’s up with the foul mood
I whisper in the hall
well I was just at the doctor’s
and basically he said I’m going to die
what a nitwit I say

you’ve been dead for ages
and we burst out laughing
and then she goes to the dry cleaner’s to pick up the curtains
...