Tyber Poem by Jakobe Mansztajn

for me, for you and for whomever

they suggest we tidy up: gather up the kites,
roll up left-over posters of old heroes.
store: the tricycle, the lego first aid kit,
bin: hollow drink cans from our western fable.
all puny bric-a-brac, cluttering up the hallway,
shove against the wall. bring up from storage:
a few jars for winter, a camping bed, a blanket.
systematically making headway for the future.
finally make a concerted play for happiness,
such as it is, not as it is sought. between the
basement and the stairs experience tragedy.
one which, though small, is crushing

Translated by Marek Kazmierski