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Poetry

Irreversible Landscapes

By Luljeta Lleshanaku
Translated from Albanian by Shpresa Qatipi & Henry Israeli

Irreversible is the river
on whose back
dead leaves swirl.
Irreversible are words-
the dust of roads
mingled with breath, warm breath
that sticks to our trembling lips
like fog to a boat.Irreversible is this cup of tea,
irreversible the restrained aura of melancholy
after a superficial conversation
about books and cemeteries.
Perhaps even Routine-
the eggcup
that keeps half of our round selves
in balance-
is irreversible.Irreversible are all moments of love
even when they happen more and more frequently,
even when skin turns to moss.
In love two bodies become one cactus,
fused always
to that instant of death.

English

Irreversible is the river
on whose back
dead leaves swirl.
Irreversible are words-
the dust of roads
mingled with breath, warm breath
that sticks to our trembling lips
like fog to a boat.Irreversible is this cup of tea,
irreversible the restrained aura of melancholy
after a superficial conversation
about books and cemeteries.
Perhaps even Routine-
the eggcup
that keeps half of our round selves
in balance-
is irreversible.Irreversible are all moments of love
even when they happen more and more frequently,
even when skin turns to moss.
In love two bodies become one cactus,
fused always
to that instant of death.

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