Two Poems (translated by David Colmer)

Translated by David Colmer


Due to Logistical Problems

On Wednesday we received a box
containing our future.

It was a mistake, of course, we realised that immediately.
On the phone the manufacturer was frantic.

Don’t open it, whatever you do, don’t open it. Someone
is on their way right now to pick it up.

We waited. Meanwhile we put the box in the middle of the room
on the rug. It was a big box. And heavy.
We drew conclusions, drank tea.

Then we took turns to press an ear against the cardboard. We made
out music, very soft music. The sound of cranes flying high
overhead. Hustle and bustle. A steam train,
clearly a steam train leaving the station.

When the bell rang we had just cut the packing tape.
...