I Said, I Say

By Pia Juul

It´s a waste
of good urine
to flush it down
the drain
Think of everything
it could be tested for
sugar and acid
peculiar diseases
pregnancy
And what about those
I could have peed on
a stream so
corrosively sour
it stained
and marked the silk
and the reputation
and the honour
they thought was theirs
for keeps
That´s a waste of urine

Translated by Anne Born