.
you receive a letter
which is so flat
that it’s nearly
empty
so white
and flat
that it cuts
itself into you
unread
into your eye
tightens your throat
turns your stomach inside out
stop,
says the child
I don’t want
this letter
yes, I say
it’s already written
it’s already on its way
into your eye
by Monica Aasprong
from Et diktet barn
publisher: Cappelen Damm, Oslo, 2010,
translation: 2013, May-Brit Akerholt
du får et brev
som er så flatt
at det nesten
er tomt
så hvitt
og flatt
at det skjærer
seg inn i deg
ulest
inn i øyet
tetter halsen
vrenger magen
stopp,
sier barnet
jeg vil ikke ha
dette brevet
jo, sier jeg
det er allerede skrevet
det er allerede på vei
inn i øyet