Maggie Sawkins

A Pair of Small Ears

I have come to translate the silence.
I’ve bought paper and pencils
and a pair of small ears.

I ask you
not to disturb me
until the task is done.

First I will unwrap the ears
and place them face up
on the floor.

You will observe their strangeness
these tiny shallows
these bridges of bone.

They are waiting for the sound
of no sound—
nothing is permitted

not even the intermittent
buzz of a fly nor the tick of a wall.

You must soften your breath
learn patience—
shuffle along any vagrant thought.

Soon the ears will begin
to quiver—gently they will
pick up the pencils at their side.

Listen closely—
the word is about to be
written.

Gabriela Moldovan

Maggie Sawkins

Doua urechi mici

Am ajuns sa traduc tacerea.
Am cumparat hartie si creioane
si doua urechi mici.

Va rog
sa nu ma deranjati
pana nu-mi termin treaba.

Intai o sa despachetez urechile
si-o sa le pun cu fata-n sus
pe podea.

Veti vedea cat de bizare sunt
adanciturile acestea mici
puntile acestea de os.

Asteapta sunetul
nesunetului –
nimic nu e permis

nici macar bazaitul
intrerupt al unei muste, nici trosnetul unui perete.

Domoleste-ti respiratia
deprinde rabdarea –
alunga orice gand ratacit.

Curand urechile vor incepe
sa vibreze – vor ridica usor
creioanele de langa ele.

Asculta cu atentie –
cuvantul va fi
scris.