Petr Hruška

Not My Own

2017 | Argo

A Session

Adam sits by the window,
a blurry silhouette on the glass.
They’re just asking him
about the difference
between a stone and a brick.

There’s none, he says.

They ask again.
Stone. Brick.
They say they’ll wait.
It would be very good
if there were some difference.

 

Drawings

On a chair, somebody without a neck
is seated, calling out, ”fire.”
Here’s a plate of fear
with a spoon.
Cargo falling off the train
during its frantic ride.
Drawings,
these are Adam’s afternoon drawings,
wobbly houses in thin pencil.
On the table,
drawings growing,
before they come for him.
Finally a long,
oh so long line,

an unfinished hand

 

A Session

They told him
it’s about the customs officer Job.
They told him
to wait,
it’ll take a while.
Since then he’s
been sitting here,
with a blurry silhouette on the glass.
He’s giving it his best.
He’s sitting
like no-one’s sat before.

 

Birthday

A lorry!

He’s turning forty,
he won’t wait.
On the contrary.

A hockey team cap
and a lorry
or an aircraft carrier!

 

Translated from the Czech by David Vichnar