[The Basic Idea Of Moisture] Poem by Thomas Kunst

THE BASIC IDEA OF MOISTURE. After
Humping animals are sad. Their
Eyes dull. Their coats worn
Out, yellow and matt and salty. At
First they just glanced over. That's how
Fur and muscles of the others from far away
Achieved certain victory. If only they had
Just left it at that. Afar had always
existed. Blurred. Helpless. Only much
Later the flat cleanliness of geography. Whoever
Didn't look caught the wind. Yellow and matt
And salty. But you don't even have to think about
Telling that to the animals that geography
Is more recent than afar. On their own they
Just pay attention that they are only interested
In animals that turn away from them far
Away, yellow and matt and salty,
After humping animals are sad, they
Shiver, they shake, they play lying on their
Sides, even if it doesn't seem to pay off right
Away, but you don't even have to think about
Telling that to the animals, they hump, are
Sad, the coats worn down, the
Eyes dull, depending on if there had ever
Been a gust at that height.

Translated by Bradley Schmidt