Vispera / Jacqueline Goldberg

(translation of opening poem)



I've become ceremonious
noises have lost their interest for me
the silence of others

I prefer a cup of wine as I walk the house
eating breakfast without appointments
sinking into complete solitude
completely old after all

although I may not have travelled enough
nor do I have sharpened fingernails

maybe we'll recover desire
somewhere else

for now
I aspire to no routine other
than my bed unmade and redone again
a certain excitement that will lead to
closed windows
to the mouthful of salt that tarnishes
my teeth begging for a brush
after many days
many lock-ups
too many ceremonies