Cuarto solo
by Alejandra PizarnikSi te atreves a sorprender
la verdad de esta vieja pared;
y sus fisuras, desgarraduras,
formando rostros, esfinges,
manos, clepsidras,
seguramente vendrá
una presencia para tu sed,
probablemente partirá
esta ausencia que te bebe.
Single Room
by Alejandra PizarnikIf you dare to frighten
the truth out of this old wall—
and its fissures, its gashes
that form shapes and sphinxes
and hands and clepsydras—
surely a presence
for your thirst will emerge,
and no doubt this absence
that drinks you dry will leave you.
translated from Spanish by Yvette Siegert