Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Dan Pagis

MISTAKES

You think I’ve finally arrived, but these
are only the first heavy footsteps of rain.

You think it’s a new sorrow, but it’s
only a whitewashed wall from time immemorial.

It’s temptation twisting and turning, you think,
but it’s only a silken paper snake.

You think it’s a single gun shot,
but only the wind slamming a door.

You think it’s me,
but it’s only me.

MISTAKES

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MISTAKES

You think I’ve finally arrived, but these
are only the first heavy footsteps of rain.

You think it’s a new sorrow, but it’s
only a whitewashed wall from time immemorial.

It’s temptation twisting and turning, you think,
but it’s only a silken paper snake.

You think it’s a single gun shot,
but only the wind slamming a door.

You think it’s me,
but it’s only me.

MISTAKES

You think I’ve finally arrived, but these
are only the first heavy footsteps of rain.

You think it’s a new sorrow, but it’s
only a whitewashed wall from time immemorial.

It’s temptation twisting and turning, you think,
but it’s only a silken paper snake.

You think it’s a single gun shot,
but only the wind slamming a door.

You think it’s me,
but it’s only me.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
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