Abstractions

Something’s gone wrong between us.
Something that's never existed.
How come so insidiously?
So that I wasn’t even there at all?

The same way. It’s always the same
way. He’s good, he never inflicts
wounds. The other him? His own
light makes him shiver.

Wicked, gothic lace-trimmed neck. Ugly
posture, hopeful-cautious nakedness.
Infertile woman. How trite!
Too much and too little at the same time.

Little abstractions! I’ve composed
you all. It’s not very funny to
compose this way. It’s in fact like a
great big overstatement. Like love.

The two children, who not for me -
touched me deeply. Of course,
I didn’t show it. For want of better I
lived the part of the beautiful woman.

(Translated by N. Ullrich Katalin)