Five Poems (translated by Marco Sonzogni and Harry Thomas)

The Dromedary

So many disputes, lawsuits, and wars – what for?
You should try to imitate me.
No water? I do without it,
Careful only not to waste my breath.
No food? I dip into my hump.
When the time is propitious
Grow one yourselves.
And if the hump is flabby
All I need is weeds and straw.
Green grass is lechery and vanity.
Is my voice ugly? Usually I’m silent,
And if I bellow, nobody hears me.
Am I ugly? I’m pleasing to my female,
Who has an eye for quality
And gives the best milk ever.
As for yours, ask her to do the same.
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