A Green Lowland of Pianos

in the evening
as far as the eye can see
herds
of black pianos

up to their knees
in the mire
they listen to the frogs

they gurgle in water
with chords of rapture

they are entranced
by froggish, moonish spontaneity

after the vacation
they cause scandals
in conecrt halls
during the artistic milking
suddenly they lay down
like cows

looking with indifference
at the white flowers
of the audience

at the gesticulation
of the ushers


from the Polish of Jerzy Harasymowicz
Czeslaw Milosz