Two Translations of Apollinaire
Postcardafter Apollinaire
I started this letter under a tent
My tent pole failed Wonder why it went
The evening exploded Metallic rain
Don’t expect to see your soldier again
Trench song
after Apollinaire
While we’re here far away
The girls are growing up
The pansies call The war’s passé
They leave us step by step
A sudden mortar spray
Instead of dancing feet
Is all the dazzle we can see
Amnesia’s complete
And nothing I can do but die
Will snare her dazzled eye