Now she puts on her makeup. In the white cell

She sits bowed on the simple stool

With light movements

She applies the makeup in the mirror.

Carefully she washes away from her face

All that is particular: the gentlest sensation

Will transform it. From time to time

She lets her frail and noble shoulders

Fall forward, like those who have to

Work hard. She already has on the rough blouse

With patches at the sleeves. The bast shoes

Stand on the makeup table.

When she’s ready

She asks eagerly if the drum has arrived

On which the thunder of guns will be made, and whether the great net

Is in place. Then she stands, a small figure

Great warrior

To put on the bast shoes and represent

The struggle of the Andalusian fisherman’s wife

Against the generals.

WHEN I’D REPORTED TO THE COUPLE, THUS . . .

The Augsburger walks with Dante through the hell of the departed. He addresses the inconsolable and reports to them that on earth some things have changed.

When I’d reported to the couple, thus

That up there no one murders now for gain

Since no one owns a thing, the faithless spouse

Who’d beguiled that woman so improperly

Lifted his hand, now tied to hers by chains

And looked at her and turned perplexed to me

So no one steals, if there’s no property?

I shook my head. And as their hands just touched

I saw a blush suffuse the woman’s cheeks.

He saw it too and cried, She hasn’t once

Shown so much since the day she was seduced!

And murmuring, Then there’s no abstinence?

They moved off swiftly. And the ties that fused

Them tight were of no weight or consequence.

I SHALL GO WITH THE ONE I LOVE . . .

I shall go with the one I love.

I shall not reckon what it costs.

I shan’t consider if it’s right.

I shall not ask if he loves me.

I shall go with him I love.

TO BE READ MORNINGS AND EVENINGS

He whom I love

Has told me

That he needs me.

That’s why

I take care of myself

Watch my step and

Fear every raindrop

Lest it strike me down.

KIN-JEH SAID OF HIS SISTER

We loved one another between the battles.

From column to column

Marching by, we waved. There were letters

Poste restante in the taken cities. Awaiting my enemies

In hiding poorly housed

I heard her light tread, she

Brought food and news. Quickly at the railway station

We agreed how we should continue our operations.

With the dust of the road still on my lips

I kissed her. Around us

Everything changed. Our affections

Did not change.

OUR UNCEASING CONVERSATION . . .

Our unceasing conversation that was like

The conversation of two poplars and that had lasted many years

Has fallen silent. I no longer hear

The things you say or write nor do you hear

The things I say.

I held you on my lap and combed your hair