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.
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4
THEWINDATNIGHT
OnoceanicoceansthesunksinkthedoomeddiechasingchasersringdancingrondosGodlygods!Humanhumans!WithmydigitaldigitsIdismantlebrainybrains
Suchagonisingagony!Butmasteredmistresseshavehirsutehair
HeavenlyheavensEarthlyearth
Butwhereisheavenonearth
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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.
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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.
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DOOROFTHESECONDINFINITE
ToAntoninArtaud
TheperiscopeinkwellwaitsformewheretheroadturnsmypenholderreturnstoitsshellThesheetofpaperunfurlsitsgreatwhitewingsPrettysoonitstwoclawswilltearoutmyeyesIwillseenothingofmyformerbodymyformerbody!YougottoseeitalldressedupOnthemostridiculousdayThewomenputtheirjewelsintheirmouthlikeDemosthenesButIamtheinventorofatelephoneinglassfromBohemiaandEnglishtobaccoindirectrelationoffear!
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ARBITRARYFATEToGeorgesMalkine
Herecomesthetimeofthecrusades.
Throughtheclosedwindowthebirdsinsistonspeakinglikefishinanaquarium.Attheshopwindowaprettywomansmiles.
HappinessyouareonlysealingwaxandIgobylikeafirefly.
Anumberofguardianspursueaninoffensivebutterflyescapedfromtheasylum.
UndermyhandshebecomeslacepantsandyoureaglefleshohmydreamwhenIcaressyou!
Tomorrowburialswillbefreetherewillbenomorecatchingcoldsthelanguageofflowerswillbespokenlightwillbecastbylampsunknowntothisday.
Buttodayistoday.
IfeelthatmybeginningiscloselikeJunewheatPolicemenhadmethehandcuffs.
Thestatuesturnawaywithoutobeying.OntheirbaseIshallwriteinsultsandthenameofmyworstenemy.
Thereinthedistantoceanbetweentidesalovelywoman'sbodycausesthesharkstodrawback.
Theyrisetothesurfacetolookatthemselvesintheairanddarenotbitethebreaststhedeliciousbreasts.
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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.
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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.
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NIGHTSUICIDE
Thegreenreedsbowdownwhenthedragonflyappearsatthebendofthepath
Igotowardsatombstoneclearerthanwhitesnowlikewhitemilkwhitelimestonewhitewalls
ThedragonflysplashesaboutinthepoolsofmilkTheglassarmortremblesshiversstartswalkingRainbowsknotupLouisXVstyleWhat?AlreadytheearthhiddenbyourpathholdsupitshandStruggleswiththeglassarmorKnocksatthedoorsFloatsintheairYellsMoansweepsah!Ah!Ah!Ah!FurrowyoudieinthesoundbluerockGreatmorselsofspongesfallingfromtheskycoverupcemeteriesWinerunsthunderousMilkhiddeneartharmorstruggleonthegrassturningnowrednowwhiteThunderandlightningandrainbowAh!FurrowyoucreviceandyousingThelittlegirlgoestoschoolrecitingherlesson
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NOWIT'SNIGHT
You'llgoawaywhenyouwanttoThebedclosesandunlacesvoluptuouslikeablackvelvetcorsetAndtheshininginsectrestsonthepillowBurstsopenandregainstheBlacknessThehammeringwavearrivesstayssilentSamoathebeautifulfallsasleepinthecottonRabbitburrowwhatareyoudoingwiththecurtains?
rollingthemaboutinthemudUnderaluckystarandinthedepthsofallmudTheshipwreckisstressedundertheeyelidIcountanddescribethissleepIgathertheflasksofnightandarrangethemonashelfThewoodenbird'swarblingmingleswiththesmashofcorkslikealookDon'tgotheredon'tdietherewrongplaceforjoyOnemoreguestattheroundtableintheclearingofemeraldgreen
andresoundinghelmetsnearaheapofswordsandbashedinarmorLovingnerveslampextinguishedatday'sendIamsleeping
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EBONYLIFE
AfrightfulcalmwillmarkthisdayAndtheshadowofstreetlampsandfirehydrantswilltireoutthelightAllwillfallquietthemostsilentandthechattiestFinallythesquallinginfantswilldieTugboatstrainswindWillslipalonginsilenceWe'llhearthegreatvoicecomingfromfartopassoverthetownWe'llawaititalongtimeThentowardsmilord'ssunWhenthedustofthestonesandtheabsenceoftears
makeupthesun'sdressonthegreatdesertedsquaresFinallywe'llhearthevoicecomingMutteringlongatthedoorsItwillpassoverthetownsnatchingdrapesbreakingpanesWe'llhearitWhatsilencebeforeitstillgreaterthesilenceitwon'tdisturb
butaccuseitofthemisdemeanorofsuddendeathitwillbrandanddenounce.
OhdayofmisfortuneandjoyThedaythenearbydaywhenthevoicewillpassoverthetown.
AphantomseagulltoldmeshelovedmeasmuchasIloveherThatthisgreatterriblesilencewasmyloveThatthewindbearingthevoicewasthegreatrevoltoftheworldAndthatthevoicewouldbeinmyfavor.
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ATDAYBREAK
Willtheschistbrightenthewhitenightofcork?
We'llbelostinmidnight'scorridorwiththecalmhorrorofthedyingsob
Comeallyoueverfamouslizardsclimbingplantsdigitalflesheaters
ComevinesWhistleofrevoltsComegiraffesIinviteyoutoafeastSograndthelightoftheglasseswillequaltheauroraborealisWomen'snailswillbestrangledswansNotfarfromhereagrassisdryingbytheroadside.
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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.
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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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