Poems

Poems, written and performed by VALIE EXPORT

I was born at the hospital which belongs to the city of Linz
I suckled at the breast which belongs to my mother
I hid from the bombs that belonged to the country of England
I wore the clothes that belonged to my sister
I cried for my father, whose death belonged to the fatherland
I played with the balls that belonged to the nursery school
I read the books that belonged to the library
I rode in trains that belonged to the government
I sat on chairs that belonged to others
I lived on money that belonged to my boyfriend
I breathed the air that belonged to God
That’s the life that belongs to me.

I screamed with the voice that belongs to me
I bit with the teeth that belong to me
I scratched with the fingernails that belong to me
I cried with the tears that belong to me
I saw with the eyes that belong to me
I thought the thoughts that belong to me
I laughed with the laughter that belongs to me
I kissed with the mouth that belongs to me
I slept with the dreams that belong to me
That’s the life that belongs to me. 1966