Oberlin College Press

Benjamin Peret

FROM THE HIDDEN STOREHOUSE (translated by Keith Hollaman)

Paper $15.95 (ISBN 0-932440-11-8)

Benjamin Peret is a poet like no other. One of the original group of Surrealists, he seceded from Dada in 1924 and remained faithful to Surrealist principles until his death in 1959. His irreverence and incandescent imagination remain fresh and funny, and they are perfectly captured in this inspired, idomatic translation.

From the Hidden Storehouse represents the enormous range of Peret's career in generous selections from his five best books. This first book-length American translation of his work includes an introduction by the distinguished poet and translator Charles Simic.

Keith Hollaman is also the co-editor of Magical Realist Fiction.

SPILLED BLOOD

The ashes which are the cigar's malady
imitate the concierges rushing down the stairs
after their broom that fell from the fifth floor
killed the gasman
that employee resembling a bug in a salad
The bird lies in wait for a bug and it's the broom that got you gasman
Your wife's hair will be white as sugar
and her ears will be unpaid bills
unpaid because you are dead
But why didn't this gasman have feet shaped like a three
why didn't he have the lucid look of a glovestore
why didn't he have his mother's dried-up breast hanging from his belly
why didn't he have flies in the pockets of his jacket
He would have passed away damp and cold like a smashed porcelain vase
and his hands would have caressed the bars of his prison
But the sun in his pocket had put on its cap

--Benjamin Peret
translated by Keith Hollaman

Copyright c 1981 by Oberlin College. May not be reproduced without permission.