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Hi all, I attempted a translation of Rilke last year . . . not entirely happy with it, due to the rather oppresively regular iambics, but here it is -- BLACK CAT Rainer Maria Rilke A ghost is real enough: your gaze may knock and sound upon it, clear. But here, confronting pitch-black fur, your stare will sink without a trace the way a madman's fisted rage against the dark will disappear, absorbed within his quilted cage. Each glance that ever fell on her she hoards, inside her self: each one surveyed in turn at twisted leisure, slept with. If your face becomes her sudden focus, look - you're done. An image trapped in amber eyes: your self: a prehistoric fly. Andy %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%