A few generalities on the Gulf of Finland
Collage of two brush-painted sheets fastened by silver paper. Format 113x64cm
and here – all the rhymes, hence that the voice faded,
winding between them, as wet hair,
if the winds at all. Leaning on his elbow,
shell ear to distinguish them not rumble
but cotton linens, shutters, palms, tea,
boiling on a kerosine stove, a maximum – the cries of gulls.
(from “A part of speech” by Joseph Brodsky)