whatever happens

by Judith Zander
          translated from German by Bradley Schmidt

february at the latest daily leafing
through the orchid calender
in the stars
there is nothing written except when
cassiopeia poses all kinds
of improper questions that can
neither be answered with yes or no just
Woe is me! and the lady’s slippers
have not yet worn out who will
slip them onto my feet who wants
to be the first
i escape from
(burning out is a lie fading away
as well)