Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Jude Stéfan

To Giacomelli

at Lourdes, as in a madhouse, in abattoirs
the miraculables line up in dormitories
to cure the filthy disease Life
the standing miraculated for them pray
a dubious god born in their neurons
everywhere swarm men in murder-
black and mourning lamentable procession
through this pitiful charnel-house where
passes a clean-shaven cripple in his pushchair
pulled by a temporarily reprieved biped
heads down they await the All-Highest
each to choose his own unique rags
for a miracle that would defy art
heavy is the pain, light the candles!


To Giacomelli

à Lourdes, comme à l\'asile, aux abattoirs
les miraculables s\'alignent en dortoirs
pour guérir la sale maladie la Vie
les miraculés-debout pour eux prient
un dieu douteux né dans leurs neurones
partout pullulent des hommes en noir-
meurtre et deuil cortège lamentable
parcourant ce charnier pitoyable où
passe un glabre mutilé dans sa poussette
que tire un bipède gracié provisoire
tête en bas ils attendent le Très-Haut
choisir chacun sa guenille unique
pour un prodige qui défierait l\'art
lourdes sont les affres, légers les cierges !
Close

To Giacomelli

at Lourdes, as in a madhouse, in abattoirs
the miraculables line up in dormitories
to cure the filthy disease Life
the standing miraculated for them pray
a dubious god born in their neurons
everywhere swarm men in murder-
black and mourning lamentable procession
through this pitiful charnel-house where
passes a clean-shaven cripple in his pushchair
pulled by a temporarily reprieved biped
heads down they await the All-Highest
each to choose his own unique rags
for a miracle that would defy art
heavy is the pain, light the candles!


To Giacomelli

at Lourdes, as in a madhouse, in abattoirs
the miraculables line up in dormitories
to cure the filthy disease Life
the standing miraculated for them pray
a dubious god born in their neurons
everywhere swarm men in murder-
black and mourning lamentable procession
through this pitiful charnel-house where
passes a clean-shaven cripple in his pushchair
pulled by a temporarily reprieved biped
heads down they await the All-Highest
each to choose his own unique rags
for a miracle that would defy art
heavy is the pain, light the candles!


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
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère