English translation of Bart Meuleman’s poem [klachten bereiken mij niet], first published in Dutch in the literary journal Yang (2002 nr. 4). Translated by Willem Groenewegen, on request of the Flemish Literature Fund. More poems and audio available on Lyrikline.org

[complaints fail to reach me]
Bart Meuleman

complaints fail to reach me
because I constantly need to squirt on the centrepiece,
on the centrepiece, need to squirt,
squirt, on the centrepiece,

on the centrepiece, squirt.

I heard someone ask what it was I did, between times.
squirt I said, on the centrepiece.
and when that’s done?
I said: squirt on the centrepiece.

questions?

_