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ADRIENNE JANSEN

Lost in translation

He has learnt
the word in English.
Rabbit.

He points at the book,
says in his thick accent,
‘Rabbit.’
It is freezing cold.
There is frost on the window.
‘Rabbit’ comes out
in a cloud of smoke.

‘No,’ she says.
‘It’s not a rabbit.’
She points at the book.
‘It’s a pig.’

He breathes heavily,
clouds of white steam
rising around him.
He goes to the window.
A dog is running
on the white grass.
‘Rabbit!’ he shouts.
‘Rabbit! Rabbit! Rabbit!’
And bursts into tears.

 

 

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