On the Tray

by Kristín Ómarsdóttir

maidens dunk fishtails and flukes in the pool
— tepid water gilds and colors them — striped balls

in a striped chair a woman combs her bed hair
and brings me news from the fascist television channel 

the lips work effortlessly, heaped sugarspoon sentences
the same color as the veins on the back of her hand

the trees in the garden play, they checkmate the sky
on the tray, the radio sings : please, forget me not

Translated by Lytton Smith.