“What a terrible thing! It’s a shadow, a clown. It’s not me!”

My translation from the Hebrew of Natan Alterman’s poem The Shadow is now posted at the Manhattanville Review, and also — below! (Check out the journal website for a little squib about my translation philosophy or lack thereof.)

The Shadow

Natan Alterman

From Hebrew: Zackary Sholem Berger

Once there was a man and his shadow.

One night the shadow stood up

took the man’s shoes and coat,

put them on. Passing by

it took the man’s hat from the hook,

trying as well to remove his head —

without success. It took his face off

and put that on too. If that weren’t enough

next morning he went out with his walking stick.

The man ran down the street after him

shrieking to his friends: What a terrible thing!

It’s a shadow! A clown! It’s not me! I’ll

write the authorities! He can’t get away with it! He wailed

bitterly, but little by little got used to it, fell silent, till at last

he forgot about the incident.