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

2

AmoonfromlongagoIsreflectedinthisrotSmellofdeathsmelloflifeembracingsmelldrollcreaturesofshadowmustberollingaboutandfightingandembracinghereItreallyrotsatthefootoftheoaksAndthatbreathesstillharderatthesummitNetsupsetandthefamoushummingbirdsjustnowThrowndownNightingalesdelungedFoliageofimmensepalpitatingforestsDirtiedandwrinkledliketoiletpaperTumultuousrisingtidesofthesummitoftheforestsyourwavespulluptowardstheskytheplumphillsinafoamofclearingsandpasturesveinedwithriversandmineralsFinallyhereitiscomingfromitslairThebleedingflayedonesingingwithhisthroataliveNonailsattheendofhisfingersOrpheustheycallhimColdkissertheconfidentofSyblsBacchuscastratoravingandfortunrtellerOnceamanofgoodearthcomeforthfromgoodseedbyagoodwindSpeaksbleedsdreamsTeethbrokenkidneyssplit,arteriesknottedHeartofnothingWhiletheriverrunsrollsinebriatesgrotesquewrecksofbargeswithcoalrunningReachestheplainreachestheseaFoamrollingandwearingoutOnthesandsaltcoralIwillenterinyourwavesAftertheriverexhaustedWatchoutforyourFLOTTES!Foryourcorals,yoursand,yoursaltatyourfeastsIssuedforthefromthewallswithpasswordsBythebackofthethroatsBythebackoftheteeth

3

GoodweatherFormenworthyofthenameGoodweatherfortheriversandtreesGoodweatherfortheseaThefoamandthemudremainAndthejoyoflivingAndahandinmineAndthejoyoflivingIamtheversethewitnessofthebreathofmymaster.

translatedbyJonathanP.Eburne

4

THEWINDATNIGHT

OnoceanicoceansthesunksinkthedoomeddiechasingchasersringdancingrondosGodlygods!Humanhumans!WithmydigitaldigitsIdismantlebrainybrains

Suchagonisingagony!Butmasteredmistresseshavehirsutehair

HeavenlyheavensEarthlyearth

Butwhereisheavenonearth

translatedbyMartinSorrell

5

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

6

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

8

DOOROFTHESECONDINFINITE

ToAntoninArtaud

TheperiscopeinkwellwaitsformewheretheroadturnsmypenholderreturnstoitsshellThesheetofpaperunfurlsitsgreatwhitewingsPrettysoonitstwoclawswilltearoutmyeyesIwillseenothingofmyformerbodymyformerbody!YougottoseeitalldressedupOnthemostridiculousdayThewomenputtheirjewelsintheirmouthlikeDemosthenesButIamtheinventorofatelephoneinglassfromBohemiaandEnglishtobaccoindirectrelationoffear!

translatedbyPatriciaTerry

9

ARBITRARYFATEToGeorgesMalkine

Herecomesthetimeofthecrusades.

Throughtheclosedwindowthebirdsinsistonspeakinglikefishinanaquarium.Attheshopwindowaprettywomansmiles.

HappinessyouareonlysealingwaxandIgobylikeafirefly.

Anumberofguardianspursueaninoffensivebutterflyescapedfromtheasylum.

UndermyhandshebecomeslacepantsandyoureaglefleshohmydreamwhenIcaressyou!

Tomorrowburialswillbefreetherewillbenomorecatchingcoldsthelanguageofflowerswillbespokenlightwillbecastbylampsunknowntothisday.

Buttodayistoday.

IfeelthatmybeginningiscloselikeJunewheatPolicemenhadmethehandcuffs.

Thestatuesturnawaywithoutobeying.OntheirbaseIshallwriteinsultsandthenameofmyworstenemy.

Thereinthedistantoceanbetweentidesalovelywoman'sbodycausesthesharkstodrawback.

Theyrisetothesurfacetolookatthemselvesintheairanddarenotbitethebreaststhedeliciousbreasts.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

10

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.

12

Ifyouknewhowtheworldsubmitstome.

Andyou,ohbeautifulunsubmissiveone,howyouarealsomyprisoner.

OhfarfrommetowhomIsubmit.

Ifyouknew.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

13

THEVOICEOFROBERTDESNOS

Soliketheflowerandthebreezelikethewater'sflowingwithitspassingshadowslikethesmileglimpsedthatfamousmidnightsolikeeverythinglikejoyandsadnessit'spastmidnightitsnakedtorsorisingabovebelfreysandpoplarsIsummontomeallthoselostinthecountrysideoldcorpsesyoungfelledoaksthethreadsofclothrottingonthegroundandthelinendryingnearthefarmsIsummontometornadoesandhurricanestempeststyphoonscyclonestidalwavesearthquakesIsummontomevolcanosmokeandthatofcigarettessmokeringsfromluxurycigarsIsummontomelovesandloversIsummontomethelivingandthedeadIsummontomegravediggersIsummonmurdersIsummonexecutionersIsummonpilotsbuildersandarchitectsMurdersIsummonfleshIsummontheoneIloveIsummontheoneIloveIsummontheoneIlovetriumphantmidnightunfoldsitssatinwingsandalightsonmybedbelfreysandpoplarsbendtomedesiretheformerfallinruinthelatterfadethoselostinthecountrysidefindtheirwayinfindingmetheoldcadaversresuscitateatmyvoicetheyoungfelledoaksbecomegreentheshredsofclothrottinginthegroundandontheground

clackatmyvoicelikethebannerofrebellionthelinendryingaroundthefarmsdressesadorablewomenwhomIdonotadorewhocometomeobeymyvoiceandadoreme

tornadoestwistinmymouthhurricanesreddenmylipsevenmoretempestsgrowlatmyfeettyphoonsrumplemyhairevenmore

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Ireceivethedrunkenkissesofcyclonestidalwavesrushforwardtodieatmyfeetearthquakesdestroyonlyatmycommandvolcanosmokeclothesmeinitsvaporsandcigarettesmokeperfumesmeandsmokeringsfromcigarscrownmelovesandlovesolongpursuedtakerefugeinmeloverslistentomyvoicethelivingandthedeadsubmittome

theformergreetingmecoldlythelatterinfriendship

gravediggersleavegraveshalfdugdeclaringthatIalonecanordertheirnightlylabor

murderssaluteexecutionersinvoketherevolutioninvokemyvoiceinvokemynamepilotssteeraccordingtomyeyesbuildersgrowdizzylisteningtomearchitectsleaveforthedesertmurdersblessmefleshquiversatmycall

theoneIlovedoesnotlistentometheoneIlovedoesnothearmetheoneIlovedoesnotanswerme.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

15

OBSESSION

Ibringyouabitofseaweedwhichwastangledwiththeseafoamandthiscomb

Butyourhairismoreneatlyfixedthanthecloudswiththewindwithcelestialcrimsonglowinginthemandaresuchthatwithquiveringsoflifeandsobssometimesbetweenmyhandstheydiewiththewavesandthereefsofthestrandsoabundantlythatweshallnotsoonagaindespairofperfumesandtheirflightateveningwhenthiscombmarksmotionlessthestarsburiedintheirrapidandsilkyflowtraversedbymyhandsseekingstillattheirrootthehumidcaressofaseamoredangerousthantheonewherethisseaweedwasgatheredwiththefrothscatteredbyatempest.

Astardyingislikeyourlips.Theyturnblueasthewinespilledonthetablecloth.

Aninstantpasseswithamine'sprofundity.WithamuffledcomplainttheanthracitefallsinflakesonthetownHowcolditisintheimpassewhereIknewyou.

AforgottennumberonahouseinruinsThenumber4Ithink.

BeforetoolongI'llfindyouagainnearthesechinaastersTheminesmakeamuffledsnoringTheroofsarestrewnwithanthracite.

Thiscombinyourhairliketheendoftheworld!

thesmoketheoldbirdandthejayTheretherosesandtheemeraldsarefinishedThepreciousstonesandtheflowersTheearthcrumblesandstarsscreechinglikeanironacrossmotherofpearlButyourneatlyfixedhairhastheshapeofahand.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

16

SKYSONG

ThefloweroftheAlpssaidtotheseashell:youareshining

Theseashellsaidtothesea:youresound

Theseasaidtotheboat:youquiver

Theboatsaidtothefire:youareglowing

Thefiresaidtome:Iglowlessbrightlythanhereyes

Theboatsaidtome:Iquiverlessthanyourheartwhensheappears

Theseasaidtome:Iresoundlessthanhernameinyourlove

Theseashellsaidtome:Ishinelessthanthephosphorousofdesireinyouremptydream

ThefloweroftheAlpssaidtome:sheislovely

Isaid:sheislovely,sheislovely,sheistouching.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

17

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

18

NIGHTSUICIDE

Thegreenreedsbowdownwhenthedragonflyappearsatthebendofthepath

Igotowardsatombstoneclearerthanwhitesnowlikewhitemilkwhitelimestonewhitewalls

ThedragonflysplashesaboutinthepoolsofmilkTheglassarmortremblesshiversstartswalkingRainbowsknotupLouisXVstyleWhat?AlreadytheearthhiddenbyourpathholdsupitshandStruggleswiththeglassarmorKnocksatthedoorsFloatsintheairYellsMoansweepsah!Ah!Ah!Ah!FurrowyoudieinthesoundbluerockGreatmorselsofspongesfallingfromtheskycoverupcemeteriesWinerunsthunderousMilkhiddeneartharmorstruggleonthegrassturningnowrednowwhiteThunderandlightningandrainbowAh!FurrowyoucreviceandyousingThelittlegirlgoestoschoolrecitingherlesson

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

19

NOWIT'SNIGHT

You'llgoawaywhenyouwanttoThebedclosesandunlacesvoluptuouslikeablackvelvetcorsetAndtheshininginsectrestsonthepillowBurstsopenandregainstheBlacknessThehammeringwavearrivesstayssilentSamoathebeautifulfallsasleepinthecottonRabbitburrowwhatareyoudoingwiththecurtains?

rollingthemaboutinthemudUnderaluckystarandinthedepthsofallmudTheshipwreckisstressedundertheeyelidIcountanddescribethissleepIgathertheflasksofnightandarrangethemonashelfThewoodenbird'swarblingmingleswiththesmashofcorkslikealookDon'tgotheredon'tdietherewrongplaceforjoyOnemoreguestattheroundtableintheclearingofemeraldgreen

andresoundinghelmetsnearaheapofswordsandbashedinarmorLovingnerveslampextinguishedatday'sendIamsleeping

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

20

EBONYLIFE

AfrightfulcalmwillmarkthisdayAndtheshadowofstreetlampsandfirehydrantswilltireoutthelightAllwillfallquietthemostsilentandthechattiestFinallythesquallinginfantswilldieTugboatstrainswindWillslipalonginsilenceWe'llhearthegreatvoicecomingfromfartopassoverthetownWe'llawaititalongtimeThentowardsmilord'ssunWhenthedustofthestonesandtheabsenceoftears

makeupthesun'sdressonthegreatdesertedsquaresFinallywe'llhearthevoicecomingMutteringlongatthedoorsItwillpassoverthetownsnatchingdrapesbreakingpanesWe'llhearitWhatsilencebeforeitstillgreaterthesilenceitwon'tdisturb

butaccuseitofthemisdemeanorofsuddendeathitwillbrandanddenounce.

OhdayofmisfortuneandjoyThedaythenearbydaywhenthevoicewillpassoverthetown.

AphantomseagulltoldmeshelovedmeasmuchasIloveherThatthisgreatterriblesilencewasmyloveThatthewindbearingthevoicewasthegreatrevoltoftheworldAndthatthevoicewouldbeinmyfavor.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

21

ATDAYBREAK

Willtheschistbrightenthewhitenightofcork?

We'llbelostinmidnight'scorridorwiththecalmhorrorofthedyingsob

Comeallyoueverfamouslizardsclimbingplantsdigitalflesheaters

ComevinesWhistleofrevoltsComegiraffesIinviteyoutoafeastSograndthelightoftheglasseswillequaltheauroraborealisWomen'snailswillbestrangledswansNotfarfromhereagrassisdryingbytheroadside.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

22

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.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

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INLONGAGO

InlongagoIpassedbythecastleofleavesTheywereslowlyturningyellowinthemossAndfarofftheseashellswerehangingonhardtotherocksinthesea

YourmemoryorratheryourtenderpresencewasinthesameplaceTransparentpresenceandmine

Nothinghadchangedbuteverythinghadagedatthesametimeasmytemplesandmyeyes

Don'tyoulovethiscommonplace?letmebeletmebethisironicsatisfactionissorare

Everythinghadagedbutyourpresence

InlongagoIpassedbythepondofthesingledayThewaveswerestillillusory

Thehulkoftheshipwreckedvesselyouknowyourememberthatnightoftempestandofkisses?wasashipwreckedvesseloradelicatewoman'shatrolledbythewindintothespringtimerainthatwasinthesameplace

Andthenphooeylalalalet'sdanceintheblackthorns!TheaperitifshadchangedtheirnamesandcolorTherainbowsframingthemirrorsInlongagoyoulovedme.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

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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.

translatedbyMaryAnnCaws

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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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