Wordworker 

I work with words.

I’m a wordworker,

somewhat like a woodworker,

in that I craft

an object out of words.

An object to be enjoyed,

scorned, held in high esteem,

or to provoke.

Take your pick!

Wortwerker¹⁵

Ich arbeite mit Wörtern.

Ich bin ein Wortwerker,

ähnlich einem Handwerker,¹⁶

weil ich Werke

aus Wörtern herstelle.

Werke zum Genießen,

Verachten, Loben

oder um zu provozieren.¹⁷

Du hast die Wahl!

¹⁵ « Wordworker » has previously appeared in Slate & Style, the American literary journal for the blind, which is published in braille. This poem thematizes what a poet undertakes when creating a literary work of words.

¹⁶ I purposely avoided using « wordsmith, » and coined « wordworker » to match « woodworker » on account of the task of creating braille, which can also be made by punching holes in wood. The English term « woodworker » is roughly equivalent to the German « Handwerker, » which has a broader scope and could also include a person making braille. The similarity between « wordworker / woodworker » and « Wortwerker / Handwerker » is a play of words known as an annomination.

¹⁷ In keeping with the physical task of creating braille, the German term « Werk » is rendered as « object » in the English version. The interpretation of the « object d’art » remains with the reader, who will see it in his/her own eyes, and may even feel « provoked, » which allows for a nice alliteration with the final line in English: « Take your pick! »