Blue notebook No. 10
[править]There was a red-headed man who had no eyes and ears. He had no hair, so he was called red-headed only conditionally.
He could not speak, since he did not have a mouth. He also had no nose.
He did not have even arms and legs. And he had no stomach, and he had no spine, and he had no backbone, and he had no innards.
He had nothing! So it is not clear whom are we speaking about.
And it would be better if we do not speak about him anymore.
1937
Other translations
[править]Файл:Cc-by.jpgФайл:Cc-non commercial.jpg © Dmitri Smirnov, translation. Can be reproduced if non-commercial.
Four illustrations of that how a new idea strikes a person unprepared for it автор 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.