The Poet Laureate of Jones Street

Crossing

I must cross the street before the light changes:
the sign’s flashing DONT WALK DONT WALK.

That long white limo’s inching forward
an old geezer I bet behind the dark window

probably poking the floor with his damn cane
telling the driver DRIVE ON DRIVE ON

or maybe he’s young like this stud on the Harley,
cocking his elbows in leather and brass

gunning, gunning his engine.
I’m crossing.  Crossing.

Written: 1985

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En traversant

il faut que je traverse avant que le feu change :
le signal clignote DONT WALK DONT WALK.

Une longue limousine blanche gagne des centimètres.
Un vieillard je suppose derrière la vitre fumée.

Il frappe sûrement le sol de sa maudite canne
en disant au chauffeur ALLEZ ALLEZ.

ou peut-être est-il  jeune comme l’étalon sur sa Harley,
renflant ses épaules de cuir et de métal.

Il emballe, emballe son engin.
JE TRAVERSE JE TRAVERSE.
………………………………

Ecrit: 1985. Tracduction: Françoise Parouty
Publié: Tarabuste Edtions, 2007