Photography © Jennifer Matthews

 

Shadow

Shadow swaying on the curtain. My mind covered by shadows.
Draught hisses and stirs. There was someone, there will be someone,
but someone screams, someone’s scared. My brain torn by a hand.
I am no one on no man’s land.
Space is my body. In it I wander.
A thought topples over. I catch it with an empty glass.
You are the No; I am you, tired.
Wall, billowing, sad. Painted into a prayer.
Sit, budge, I turn into someone.
Four lines in a poem, the devil’s tail swishes.
I follow God on a cart. Shadows are God.
I met you. Under the lights is the I.
I turn out the light.

Translated by Ágnes Megyeri

 

Árnyék

Árnyék billeg a függönyön. Elmém árnyék takarja.
Sziszeg, moccan a huzat. Valaki volt, valaki lesz,
de valaki üvölt, de valaki fél. Egy marok tépi agyam.
Senkiföldjén senki vagyok.
Űr a testem. Benne bolyongok.
Lebillen egy gondolat. Felfogom üres pohárral.
Te vagy a nem, te vagyok elfáradtan.
Gomolygó, szomorú, fal. Festenek imába.
Ül, moccan, valaki leszek.
4verssor, ördög farka csapkod.
Szekéren megyek isten után. Árnyékok Isten.
Találkoztam veled. Lámpák alatt az én.
Kioltom a fényt.

 

Károly Lencsés is a Hungarian poet who has had seven books of poems published in Hungarian with his own illustrations, one of which has been translated to English. He is regularly published online and in print throughout Hungary.

Poet/Photographer Jennifer Matthews’ poetry has been published in Nepal by Pen Himalaya and locally by the Wilderness Retreat Writers Organization, Midway Journal, The Somerville Times, Ibbetson Street Press and Boston Girl Guide. Jennifer was nominated for a poetry award by the Cambridge Arts Council for her book of poetry Fairy Tales and Misdemeanors. Her songs have been released nationally and internationally and her photography has been used as covers for a number of Ibbetson Street Press poetry books and has been exhibited at The Middle East Restaurant, 1369 Coffeehouses, Sound Bites Restaurant in Somerville and McLean Hospital.