TO SELL

In spring,
I sell

violets from lost gardens.
In summer,
paper roses
asters of words.
In autumn
in the winter,

frost flowers from the window
of my deceased mother.

So I live
from day
to night.
At night,
I praise
moon and stars
till the sun appears
and sells me
to the day.

ROSE AUSLÄNDER, (1901-1988)
Translation: Germain Droogenbroodt – Stanley Barkan