图书序言
动词
我把一些词放在桌子上;我让
人们食用它们,把它们切成片,掰成一个个音节
送到嘴裹──它们在嘴裹
重新黏合,再次掉落在桌子上。
这样,我们一起交谈。我们交换
词语,没了就去偷别人的;如果我们
的词太多,就送给别人。
每次谈话都有过剩的词语。
不过,当我们离开,也有一些词语留在了桌子上。
到了晚上,它们渐渐变冷;如果一扇窗子开着,
一阵风会把它们吹落在地。翌日,
女佣人会把它们扫进垃圾箱。
因此,我离开之前,我检查桌子上是否还留有
词语,我把它们装进口袋,没有人注意。
然后,我把它们保存在抽屉裹。
早晚有一天,它们会派上用场。
Verb
I put some words on the table; and I leave
people to help themselves, to peel off slivers, syllable
by syllable, bringing them to their mouths—where the words
are attached once more, then fall back on the table.
This is how we talk together. Exchanging
words; stealing others, when we don’t have the words
we need; offering words, when we see that there are
too many. In every conversation there are too many words.
But there are some words that stay on the table, when
we leave. At night they grow cold again; if a window
opens, a breath of wind scatters them on the ground. Tomorrow
the maid will sweep their dust into the refuse.
Also, before leaving, I look to see if any words
are left on the table; I slip them into my pocket, without
anyone noticing. Then I pack them away in the drawer of the poem.
One day, these words will find their use.
(Translated by Karen Press)