Poem
Ruth Lasters
Staircase
Then do it for me. Suppose there’s a blue plateon a white table, somewhere in a house
in this town. Imagine behind each house front a
well-defined object or furniture. Suppositions are
trial desires. But know precisely where to find a
spiral staircase, so that you,
when in dismay, can steal a step or banister from it
and rebuild it slowly in your room.
Call me when it’s finished. Someone must
carry you up it, sideways.
© Translation: 2009, Paul Vincent, in collaboration with the author
Trap
Trap
Doe het voor mij dan. Vermoed een blauw bordop een witte tafel, ergens in een huis in deze
stad. Veronderstel achter elke gevel een welbepaald
voorwerp, meubel. Vermoedens zijn
oefenverlangens. Maar weet waar precies een draaitrap
staat, om er
telkens bij ontreddering een trede of spijl uit te
stelen, hem in je kamer langzaam weer
op te bouwen. Bel me als hij af is. Iemand moet je erop
naar boven dragen, zijlings.
© 2007, Ruth Lasters
From: Vouwplannen
Publisher: Meulenhoff/Manteau, Antwerp
From: Vouwplannen
Publisher: Meulenhoff/Manteau, Antwerp
Poems
Poems of Ruth Lasters
Close
Staircase
Then do it for me. Suppose there’s a blue plateon a white table, somewhere in a house
in this town. Imagine behind each house front a
well-defined object or furniture. Suppositions are
trial desires. But know precisely where to find a
spiral staircase, so that you,
when in dismay, can steal a step or banister from it
and rebuild it slowly in your room.
Call me when it’s finished. Someone must
carry you up it, sideways.
© 2009, Paul Vincent, in collaboration with the author
From: Vouwplannen
From: Vouwplannen
Staircase
Then do it for me. Suppose there’s a blue plateon a white table, somewhere in a house
in this town. Imagine behind each house front a
well-defined object or furniture. Suppositions are
trial desires. But know precisely where to find a
spiral staircase, so that you,
when in dismay, can steal a step or banister from it
and rebuild it slowly in your room.
Call me when it’s finished. Someone must
carry you up it, sideways.
© 2009, Paul Vincent, in collaboration with the author
Sponsors
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère