A Book of Czech Verse/V. Holan

by V. Holan

For works with similar titles, see Death.

V. Holan
(Born 1905)

 

NEŠTĚSTÍ

Jak kupec v zubech svých
zkoušívá peníz němě—
mrak hryže luny jih.
A přece leží ve mně

ti z živoucích i ti
ze zamýšlené práce
po důlním neštěstí
v temnotách evokace.

Kolikrát bůh tě ved
tou šachtou, kde teď vane
zdviž dechu, naposled
spuštěná v nedoufané.

V. HOLAN
(Born 1905)

 

THE ACCIDENT

As when a dealer tests
A penny, silently—
A cloud eats out the moon.
And yet there lies on me

The thought of those who live,
And those on whose design
To work, a shadow fell,
Of terror in the mine.

God led you often through
The shaft where draughtily
Now moves the cage; sent down
The last time, hopelessly.