Faina Grimberg
The reflection of a wet finger...
The reflection of a wet finger that slipped over the faded oil-cloth
like a watery speck of potato settled on the saucer,
rolled in a meandering stream, slow and slender.
This happened in never-never. It was completely before you . . .
To inhale the steam from the hot, yellow potatoes . . .
And having screwed up one’s eyes to smile into the coloured
darkness
hiding into grandma’s round apron, veins throbbing at the brow.
This happened in never-never. It was completely before you . . .
And to take the towel rubbed to weak gauze:
Grandpa really could not have wiped his face with it – he must
have spread it on the dew.
To feel Grandpa’s soft: “Haisl maine”.
This happened in never-never. It was completely before you . . .
like a watery speck of potato settled on the saucer,
rolled in a meandering stream, slow and slender.
This happened in never-never. It was completely before you . . .
To inhale the steam from the hot, yellow potatoes . . .
And having screwed up one’s eyes to smile into the coloured
darkness
hiding into grandma’s round apron, veins throbbing at the brow.
This happened in never-never. It was completely before you . . .
And to take the towel rubbed to weak gauze:
Grandpa really could not have wiped his face with it – he must
have spread it on the dew.
To feel Grandpa’s soft: “Haisl maine”.
This happened in never-never. It was completely before you . . .
Translated by Richard McKane
Page(s) 73
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