I am convinced as never in life, That’s true, That in my healthy organism - Is a wormhole. Maybe my useless organ - the pleura, Maybe there are many, - But I lie in the ward for neuro- Pathology. I betray, which was kept secret, But - probably, Our population consists of two thirds of Nervous people. Hurrah! I found it - here is the first indication, That I discovered: Those who drink - have solid nerves Instead of a liver. You are dried up and incomparable scraggy, Like a mummy, - You know, that your nerves are bare Up to madness. If you abuse even the gentle ones Or quarrel - You know, that those people are mentally ill, - Oh, harm them!
© Elisabeth Jelinek. Translation, 2018