the world

Monday, January 15, 2018

Translator: 

Nathanaël

from espèce

Translated by Nathanaël

Note: “The world” is extracted from the “termes” (terms) series, in which each poem evolves from a single substantive to its termination. ]

 

the eldest of the sisters is ready

she is dolling herself up

every evening readies herself      for the big night

she will testify

she will write what she sees

sometimes the little sisters mock her a bit

it doesn’t change anything

she makes herself beautiful     to receive the lamb

the one that is standing         the slaughtered one

she and he occupy the same rank        in the order

of generations

first-born among the dead

the elders have traveled in their light

clothes

the horses arrive at last

white     red     black and green

the eldest sister fears for them

the misleader leads the people to war

she fears that death      will really kill them

                                                             September 4, 2014

Monday, January 15, 2018