If you cut sea’s waves with scissors
You will find only water
And the relics of Phoenicians ship
Where I once sat with many slaves.
The whip that struck my back
was made in the shape of your hand,
And the voice that commanded row! row! was sharp as an ax
I wanted Love to wave like the skull on the black flag
of a pirate ship.
Something quick,
something torn right out of my body.
Translated by Henry Israeli