Katy Giebenhain
pp.61
Winner of the 2013 Exegesis Creative Writing prize
In the wind colourful bedclothes
wave thoughtfully on the balcony.
Behind a pile of shirts
fragrant hemp by a spinning wheel.
from The Figure of Fulfillment by Emil Lerperger,
translated from the German by Jim Wayne Miller, 1975
In the wind colourful bedclothes
lift, extending bellies of air. Suppose
the sheets could unpin themselves. Would
they sail far? They could
but won’t. Possibility comes and goes;
in the wind colourful bedclothes
wave thoughtfully on the balcony
prayer flags far from the Himalayas, see
each pillow case spread
their damp seams fed
from sunlight strong and steady;
wave thoughtfully on the balcony.
Behind a pile of shirts,
bare feet, and more pressed skirts
the linoleum warms.
Still quiet, the old clock-arms
shift, preparing for the hour’s alerts
behind a pile of shirts
fragrant hemp by a spinning wheel
piles up its decree. She can feel
that rain is coming,
but does not mind, keeps thumbing
pegs in place. Here is today’s seal:
fragrant hemp by a spinning wheel.
Exegesis 