SONI
I'm in a bar and someone's name is Soni
The floor is covered in ash Like a bird
like a single bird two old men arrive
Archilochus and Anacreon and Simonides Miserable
Mediterranean refugees Don't ask me what I'm doing
here, just forget that I've been with a girl
who'd pale and rich Anyhow I only remember blush
the word shame after the word hollow
Soni! Soni! I laid her back and rubbed
my penis all over her waist The dog barked in the street
below there was a double feature and after coming
I thought "double feature" and the void Archilochus and Anacreon
and Simonides sheathing their willow branches Man
doesn't search for life I said I laid her back and
shoved the whole thing in Something crunched between
the dog's ears Crack! We're lost
all that's left is for you to get sick I said And Soni
stepped away from the ground the light through dirty glass
rendered like a God and the author
closed his eyes
Roberto Bolaño
Translation from Laura Healy