varia

January 5
Friedrich Dürrenmatt (born 5 January, 1921; died 14 December, 1990), pictured above in a 1963 photograph by Monique Jacot Only Nothingness Stands Furious and wet         I slid out of my mother’s body    without ever knowing whyor on whose order     I later blinked in the light                   and became distrustfulso I am still      satisfied with myself; the worldoutside      is uncertain.  It doesn’t belong to me.It’s an incomprehensible mercy   oran evil curse.  Who                                               knowsTo be prepared for anything.           That’s why I collect the bottles of winesmoke the dried brown                   leavesTransience             only nothingness        stands. —translated from the German by Daniele Pantano

Friedrich Dürrenmatt (born 5 January, 1921; died 14 December, 1990), pictured above in a 1963 photograph by Monique Jacot

Only Nothingness Stands

Furious and wet
         I slid out of my mother’s body
    without ever knowing why
or on whose order
     I later blinked in the light
                   and became distrustful
so I am still
      satisfied with myself; the world
outside
      is uncertain.  It doesn’t belong to me.
It’s an incomprehensible mercy
   or
an evil curse.  Who
                                               knows
To be prepared for anything.
           That’s why I collect the bottles of wine
smoke the dried brown
                   leaves
Transience
             only nothingness
        stands.

—translated from the German by Daniele Pantano