LIVING TOGETHER
She didn't get to turn her back on a man
like a sign of respect and understanding
no man complained
about the way she sleeps
about the night decor
or the flashes of lightning and the signals for help
she didn't have space to get bored with her life
she finished everything on time
not only out of fear that the idea
of the great and only love will come true
but also because of her duties and women
skilful in defacing the future
or with the blessing of the unrepeatable
- as one of her friends put it
that is, those who are above it all.
She was obsessed by the crystal and magnetic
shrieks of Mars and Venus, not
the meagre reproach of living together
- all those public, family and religious holidays!
No-one thinks him ill-humoured when he says
"I've put up with her all these years and I'm fed up
with the mother of my children". Nobody
became father of her children. But
she got involved with everyone
in a revelation of sorts: blood and flesh, beauty
that had the zeal of a novice and a champion.
And she left everyone without exception
with the same excuse: curiosity must be maintained
and freedom must have a description and a flavour.
There is a power void in making love
despite the rhythm of passion and magic.
There is the beginning of the world.
Translated by Ilija Casule and Thomas Shapcott
