HILARY ELFICK

Trivia Domestica

 

I do not want to talk of food
when I am eating
nor where it grew
nor what great pests
were last defeated in its growing
nor what this epicure or that
made of one merry mollusc
or another shapely veg
and which is better for us
according to The Times

nor whether it might rain
nor what the temperature might be
in Venice at this time of year
but then again so crowded
and the smells the noise the flies

nor whether Monday’s share index
has risen, fallen, just remained the same
since last we spoke this morning.

I only want to know at what point,
what date, we were reduced to
talking only of these things.

Roxana-Monica Mîndrican

Hilary Elfick
 

Fleacuri domestice

Nu vreau sa vorbesc despre mancare
in timpul mesei ,
nici de unde provine,
nici ce-a manat-o in timp ce a crescut
si nici despre cum a preparat
gurmadul acesta o molusca
sau alte legume apetisante
care dupa cum titreaza “The Times”
sunt mai sanatoase pentru noi

nici despre ploaie ,
sau despre cum e vremea
la Venetia acum,
dar apoi din nou atat de aglomerat
si nirosul, bazaitul mustelor,

nici despre actiunile de luni
care poate au crescut, au scazut sau doar
au stagnat de cand am discutat de dimineata.

Vreau doar sa stiu cand
si cum, am ajuns sa vorbim
doar despre astfel de lucruri.