動詞
我把一些詞放在桌子上;我讓
人們食用它們,把它們切成片,掰成一個個音節
送到嘴裹──它們在嘴裹
重新黏合,再次掉落在桌子上。
這樣,我們一起交談。我們交換
詞語,沒了就去偷別人的;如果我們
的詞太多,就送給別人。
每次談話都有過剩的詞語。
不過,當我們離開,也有一些詞語留在了桌子上。
到了晚上,它們漸漸變冷;如果一扇窗子開著,
一陣風會把它們吹落在地。翌日,
女傭人會把它們掃進垃圾箱。
因此,我離開之前,我檢查桌子上是否還留有
詞語,我把它們裝進口袋,沒有人注意。
然後,我把它們保存在抽屜裹。
早晚有一天,它們會派上用場。
Verb
I put some words on the table; and I leave
people to help themselves, to peel off slivers, syllable
by syllable, bringing them to their mouths—where the words
are attached once more, then fall back on the table.
This is how we talk together. Exchanging
words; stealing others, when we don’t have the words
we need; offering words, when we see that there are
too many. In every conversation there are too many words.
But there are some words that stay on the table, when
we leave. At night they grow cold again; if a window
opens, a breath of wind scatters them on the ground. Tomorrow
the maid will sweep their dust into the refuse.
Also, before leaving, I look to see if any words
are left on the table; I slip them into my pocket, without
anyone noticing. Then I pack them away in the drawer of the poem.
One day, these words will find their use.
(Translated by Karen Press)