Four illustrations of that how a new idea strikes a person unprepared for it (Kharms - Smirnov)
Documents libres.
| Four illustrations of that how a new idea strikes a person unprepared for it written by Daniil Kharms |
| No. 15 from the cycle “Incidents”. Translated from Russian by Dmitri Smirnov. See the original: Голубая тетрадь №10 (Хармс). |
I
WRITER: I am a writer!
READER: But in my opinion you are horse shit!
(The writer stands several minutes, shaken by this new idea, and then falls down dead. They carry him away.)
II
ARTIST: I am an artist!
WORKER: But in my opinion you are horse shit!
(The artist turned pale, like a sheet,
And then swung like a reed,
And he suddenly died, indeed.
They carry him away.)
III
COMPOSER: I am a composer!
VANYA RUBLYOV: But in my opinion you are horse shit!
(Heavily breathing, the composer sank down. They unexpectedly carry him away.)
IV
CHEMIST: I am a chemist!
PHYSICIST: But in my opinion you are horse shit!
(Without a word the chemist collapses heavily to the floor.)
April 13, 1933
© Dmitri Smirnov, Translation. Can be reproduced if non commercial.
