Gunter Kunert
In the Waiting Room
Wobbles in and gingerly
sits himself down. Forgotten now
the great enthusiasm at the awakening.
That a new hope likewise
rose up along with him.
Now he has a toothache
and demands his daily paper.
The world is one huge wound.
That’s good for my sore tooth.
What would happen if it were resurrected
in the flesh all that dead flesh
in the newspaper photos.
The windows are fogged up now
with the thought-sweat of people waiting
because thought turns violent the moment
it spreads around like an infection.
What’s that awful stink
they’re thinking and rightly guess
the source to be our Mr Lazarus here
the next patient who once again is
getting preferential treatment.
Translated by Gerald Chapple
Page(s) 93
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