There is nobody beside you, however you breathe. Let’s organize a rendezvous with you! Marina, write a letter to me - I’ll answer you on the phone. May it be so, like two years ago, May we meet for longer or forever, May our rendezvous be only at random, Though you however work, of course. I never have ever seen another such a hand, Which thus caressed me, - The sailors longing for such hands, - Now my soul is yearning. I shan’t sing songs for anybody - You may, perhaps, not be pleased about it, - I could go to prison for you - May that be an award for you. Don’t belief what will be spoken, I don’t belief, that people are pleased, Some time we shall drink together, Sweet nonsense and sweet poison.
© Elisabeth Jelinek. Translation, 2018