Amir Or

YEARS

Years have passed, he has a family,
a boy and a girl have grown up almost unnoticed—
when his friend’s belly swelled, he married her
under the wedding canopy, as decreed.
His hair has already turned gray,
and he has a permanent post in the office;
it’s not that bad to live without love
(he has a car, and more importantly—good health).
His secretary, Amity, suffices for this—
breaking daily routine with easy sex;
he empties his emptiness into hers,
passes his days pleasantly enough.
The hourglass is growing empty,
and what’s left? To eat and drink.

Translated from the Hebrew by Seth Michelson

Israel