My Aunts

　　by Adam Zagajewski （Translated by Clare Cavanagh）

　　 Always caught up in what they called

　　 the practical side of life

　　 （theory was for Plato），

　　 up to their elbows in furniture， in bedding，

　　 in cupboards and kitchen gardens，

　　 they never neglected the lavender sachets

　　 that turned a linen closet to a meadow.

　　 The practical side of life，

　　 like the Moon's unlighted face，

　　 didn't lack for mysteries；

　　 when Christmastime drew near，

　　 life became pure praxis

　　 and resided temporarily in hallways，

　　 took refuge in suitcases and satchels.

　　 And when somebody died it happened

　　 even in our family， alas

　　 my aunts， preoccupied

　　 with death's practical side，

　　 forgot at last about the lavender，

　　 whose frantic scent bloomed selflessly

　　 beneath a heavy snow of sheets.

　　 Don't just do something， sit there.

　　 And so I have， so I have，

　　 the seasons curling around me like smoke，

　　 Gone to the end of the earth and back without sound