ALWAYS THERE by Pierre Reverdy

I must no longer see myself and must forget To speak to people whom I do not know To shout without being heard For no reason all alone I know everyone and each of your steps I would like to talk but no one listens Heads and eyes turn away from me Towards the night My head is a ball full and heavy Rustling as it rolls along the ground Faraway Nothing behind me nothing ahead In the void where I descend A few strong drafts Swirl around me Cruel and cold From doors left ajar Upon yet-to-be forgotten memories The world like a pendulum has come to a standstill People suspended for all eternity An aviator descends like a spider by a thread Relieved everyone dances Between heaven and earth But a ray of light comes From the lamp that you forgot to turn off In the stairwell Ah its not over Oblivion is not complete I must still learn to know myself

Translation 2011 Michael Tweed