I am sick of

the rustle of paper and rattle of umbrellas opening.

In the dark room,

among slumbering carp

and scattered beads,

again I want to be

a willow twig in a jug of water.

Again I’ll forget how to listen to people

and I’ll see my time off,

gazing into the depths of the huge dish.

Hops and haricot beans,

a wild vine and the evening breeze,

will stay outside.

I’ll forget about bread, milk, coffee.

But for several days

the wax-like yellow star

signifies for me

the most extravagant day of the year

and the most pellucid night.

Translated by Daniel Weissbort