We are parallel_ (excerpt) [What to do with] Poem by Maud Vanhauwaert

What to do with the woman who suddenly
spread her arms. Did she want to hug me
or was she pointing in two directions _



What to do with the writer who hasn't
published his books because ‘as long as
the fruit's on the vine it won't rot' _



What to do with the man on the bridge. He
peers into the distance and says ‘tell me
about it' _



With the man who strung himself up with
a tie. Fitting and solemn. Respectful
of death _



[...]






[...]






With the raped girl and the people
who say ‘she's not even that pretty' _



What to do with the testicles of the tomcat
that is much calmer now _



The burnt motorbike and the sleepless child
who's suddenly reappeared in the living room _



What to do with the people with nothing to say
who have come to the party anyway _



The woman who exposes her rolls of fat
and says ‘look, these are my slums' _



What to do with the queasy child.
He really does feel very sick _



[...]





[...]






What to do with the woman who pops up behind
me and says ‘you know me from somewhere
and you get to say where' _

Translated by David Colmer