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Poetry

“Idleness Is Often Empowering . . . “

By Doris Kareva
Translated from Estonian by Tiina Aleman

Idleness is often empowering,
recreating oneself—
just as the moon gradually
grows full once again,
a battery surely and
steadily recharges,
so everything, everyone
must have time for the self—

for mirth and laziness
time to be human.

Translation of “Jõedeaeg on tihti jõuaeg.” Copyright Doris Kareva. By arrangement with the author. Translation copyright 2007 by Tiina Aleman. All rights reserved.

English

Idleness is often empowering,
recreating oneself—
just as the moon gradually
grows full once again,
a battery surely and
steadily recharges,
so everything, everyone
must have time for the self—

for mirth and laziness
time to be human.

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