The Last Ugh

By Benny Andersen

DEAR FRIENDS

I have two friends
who are enemies
and two enemies
who are friends.
One of my friends is a friend of one of my enemies.
My other friend is an enemy of my other enemy´s friend.
It is difficult to keep track of
whom one should be careful not to say what to.
A reconciliation would simplify things considerably
so I strongly go in for
turning the other cheek
but in the long run haven´t enough cheeks
try to mobilize my friends´ cheeks.
This has made one of my enemies friendly
and one of my friends unfriendly.
My other enemy has become an enemy of his friend
and my other friend has become a friend of my
other enemy´s former friend
but then an enemy of his own former friend.
I seriously consider calling the whole thing off
pulling my cheeks in
and starting afresh.


From Benny Andersen: Cosmopolitan in Denmark.
Borgen 1995

Translated by Cynthia La Touche Andersen