In the Desert

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said, “Is it good, friend?”
“It is bitter—bitter,” he answered;

“But I like it
“Because it is bitter,
“And because it is my heart.

In the desert
I saw a creature, naked, bestial,
Who, squatting upon the ground,
Held his heart in his hands,
And ate of it.
I said: "Is it good, friend?"
"It is bitter-bitter," he answered;
"But I like it
Because it is bitter,
And because it is my heart.

In the desertI saw a creature, naked, bestial,Who, squatting upon the ground,Held his heart in his hands,And ate of it.I said: "Is it good, friend?""It is bitter-bitter," he answered;"But I like itBecause it is bitter,And because it is my heart.

A Man Said to the Universe

A man said to the universe:
“Sir, I exist!”
“However,” replied the universe,
“The fact has not created in me
A sense of obligation.

From the heart of the fountain of delight rises a jet of bitterness that tortures us among the very flowers.

Приспособяваме се тихо към живота,
доволни и от бледите утехи,
които вятърът довява
и пуска в празните ни джобове.
Но още храним обич към света
щом спираме пред гладно котенце на прага,
готови да го приютим в протрития ръкав,
да го спасим от улицата - шумна и жестока.
(...)
Играта е такава - кара ни да се усмихваме насила.
И все пак виждаме луната, спряла над самотна уличка,
да преобръща празна кофа в искряща чаша на смеха,
и все пак чуваме през веселия шум и нашите стремежи
гласа на котенце, което вика сред пустинята.