Every morning the bus to school
drives past the Mainz brothel:
the bus stop is right in front of the main gate
hic habitat felicitas
behind it, furry red

I always wished
that along with the noisy schoolkids
one of them would board
the bus, with tired eyes and made-up
face and especially:
the illusion of life?
I don't know any more
and if I knew
I would be mistaken

Translated by Donna Stonecipher