We are back with our first Translation Tuesday of 2018! Today, we showcase two short poems by Burmese writer Maung Day wherein he imagines worlds without mysteries or poets. Enjoy!
Fire Alarms Are Real
All the poets in the world
Will be gone in a day or two
After singing of roses and naked monks.
Then we can start our celebration
With giraffes sitting on top of poles
And people eating curries with green rice
While their souls defecate on their heads.
Since when did our gardens become markets
Teeming with walking wardrobes and skeletal birds
Buying music cds from deaf physicians?
Maybe nothing’s too surprising anymore
Now that our place has become a willow tree,
Our houses the innards of a violent vegan,
And our genitals electronic cigarettes.