you receive a letter

you receive a letter

which is so flat

that it’s nearly

empty


so white

and flat

that it cuts

itself into you

unread


into your eye

tightens your throat

turns your stomach inside out


stop,

says the child



I don’t want

this letter


yes, I say

it’s already written


it’s already on its way

into your eye

you receive a letter

du får et brev

som er så flatt

at det nesten

er tomt


så hvitt

og flatt

at det skjærer

seg inn i deg

ulest


inn i øyet

tetter halsen

vrenger magen


stopp,

sier barnet



jeg vil ikke ha

dette brevet


jo, sier jeg

det er allerede skrevet


det er allerede på vei

inn i øyet