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Poetry

“Is there anything on earth that has significance…”

By Daniil Kharms
Translated from Russian by Eugene Ostashevsky

“Is there anything on earth that has significance, and that could alter the run of events not only on earth but also in other worlds?” I asked my teacher.
“There is,” he answered.
“What is it then?” I asked.
“It’s…” started my teacher. Suddenly he fell silent.
I stood and anxiously awaited his answer. But he said nothing.
I stood and said nothing.
He said nothing.
I stood and said nothing.
He said nothing.
Both of us are standing there, saying nothing.
Ho-la-la!
Both of us are standing there, saying nothing!
Ho-le-le!
Yes, yes, both of us are standing there, saying nothing!

English

“Is there anything on earth that has significance, and that could alter the run of events not only on earth but also in other worlds?” I asked my teacher.
“There is,” he answered.
“What is it then?” I asked.
“It’s…” started my teacher. Suddenly he fell silent.
I stood and anxiously awaited his answer. But he said nothing.
I stood and said nothing.
He said nothing.
I stood and said nothing.
He said nothing.
Both of us are standing there, saying nothing.
Ho-la-la!
Both of us are standing there, saying nothing!
Ho-le-le!
Yes, yes, both of us are standing there, saying nothing!

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