Taming words

taming words
is harder
than taming tigers
surprised by their own swiftness
they pass through grasses
crawl cat-like up the trees
move their lips
close up
the smell of meat and feathers
sharp smell of blood
must all be loved
for the performance
to succeed


-Halina Poswiatowska, trad. Maya Peretz






oswajanie slów
jest trudniejsze
niz oswajanie tygrysów
one wlasna zwinnoscia zdumione
przeciagaja wsrod traw
wpelzaja kocio na drzewa
poruszaja wargami
z bliska
zapach miesa i pierza
ostry zapach krwi
trzeba pokochac je wszystkie
aby popis
wypadl pomyslnie