THREE LEAVES

(translated by Karin Pečnikar)

Three begonia leaves

spiked like a butcher’s knives,

the dull color of crusted blood

on their edges.

Three begonia leaves:

Like providence,

like flight,

like agony.

Always in threes –

unstoppable,

insufferable,

indestructible.

Hairy leaves

laced with the veins

of forbidden,

suppressed want,

of smothered truth.

Heart-shaped leaves of the begonia,

always in threes.

Never in a pair.