Chrysogonus' Translation #92 - from Rachael Mead's "Work Function"

Gelas besar terasa ramah di genggaman.

Kucoba untuk tidak mengepal dua tangan.

Tak akan menyelamatkanku. Terombang-ambing

di lautan keasingan, aku mulai menyuap.

Jangan tanya aku apapun.

Ekspresi ketertarikan keterlibatanku

fana. Satu gelas

membantu cakap. Yang kedua

menghilang menyibuk tangan.

Ketiga tanda bahaya. Percakapan

tetap tinggal di kesehatan, tiada

tak terduga. Jika ada jam tanganku

mata takkan berpaling. Gelas kosong

bergeming di genggaman. Isi baru

akan menyenangkan tapi kutahu

satu gelas lagi

dan aku akan

mengubah cakap

menjadi sajak.

Lihatlah mereka

mengerling jam tangan

di pinggir bar.

The work function

The fat glass is at home in my palm.

I try not to grip it with both hands.

It won’t save me.  Adrift in a sea

of strangers, I measure out mouthfuls.

Please don’t ask me a question.

This expression of engaged interest

is precarious. One glass

aids conversation. The second

vanishes keeping my hands busy.

Three is dangerous. The conversation

remains safely medical, nothing

is expected. If I wore a watch

I’d be checking it. The glass is empty

but I keep holding it.  A refill

would be blissful but I know

one more glass

and I’ll turn

this conversation

to poetry.

Watch them

check their watches,

edge to the bar.