Twelve Years

Portrait of Paul Celan
Paul Celan 1920–1970

The line that remained, that became true: . . . your house in Paris -- become the alterpiece of your hands.

Breathed through thrice, shone through thrice. ...................

It's turning dumb, turning deaf behind our eyes. I see the poison flower in all manner of words and shapes.

Go. Come. Love blots out its name: to you it ascribes itself.

Tr. Michael Hamburger

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