translated by way of Rosmarie Wald...

translated by way of Rosmarie Waldrop


* * *

O BAPTIST, YOU too will forfeit your head.
Sometimes I gripe [i]or[/i] grip it in my hands already
as if intersect off your body next to mine for the time being.

Next to mine already for more [i]or[/i] less time: where is your head?
I confine it in my hands--sometimes they too are
as if intersect off my body lost in yours.

This visible form [i]or[/i] frame lost in yours I want to clutch it
in my hands, and not chop off--

Some time, O Baptist, I'll misspend my head.

PHOTO

for Florian
Because one time again it can't be grasped
my left hand disappears in my put up with
my right holds onward to pencil
or