Monday, June 27, 2016

Chrysogonus' Translation #92 - from Rachael Mead's "Work Function"

Gelas besar terasa ramah di genggaman.
Kucoba untuk tidak mengepal dua tangan.
Tak akan menyelamatkanku. Terombang-ambing
di lautan keasingan, aku mulai menyuap.
Jangan tanya aku apapun.
Ekspresi ketertarikan keterlibatanku
fana. Satu gelas
membantu cakap. Yang kedua
menghilang menyibuk tangan.
Ketiga tanda bahaya. Percakapan
tetap tinggal di kesehatan, tiada
tak terduga. Jika ada jam tanganku
mata takkan berpaling. Gelas kosong
bergeming di genggaman. Isi baru
akan menyenangkan tapi kutahu
satu gelas lagi
dan aku akan
mengubah cakap
menjadi sajak.
Lihatlah mereka
mengerling jam tangan
di pinggir bar.

The work function

The fat glass is at home in my palm.
I try not to grip it with both hands.
It won’t save me.  Adrift in a sea
of strangers, I measure out mouthfuls.
Please don’t ask me a question.
This expression of engaged interest
is precarious. One glass
aids conversation. The second
vanishes keeping my hands busy.
Three is dangerous. The conversation
remains safely medical, nothing
is expected. If I wore a watch
I’d be checking it. The glass is empty
but I keep holding it.  A refill
would be blissful but I know
one more glass
and I’ll turn
this conversation
to poetry.
Watch them
check their watches,

edge to the bar.

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