Poem
Ester Naomi Perquin
STRANGERS
Just as in a photograph in which you’re seen from behindyou recognise yourself but because it’s unnatural
would rather not be there – so the other
is just as you already think: it’s not good to know too much,
secrets symbols reason give you something to do.
Place between yourself/the other a deep sea and dye your hair,
stay inaudible for each attempt at rapprochement, resist
approaches with loud names as unyielding as stone.
Make it fully public and embark upon a war, be
at all times immutable. Don’t coincide, be alone.
© Translation: 2012, Paul Vincent
VREEMDEN
VREEMDEN
Zoals je jezelf op een foto waarop je ruggelings staat afgebeeldherkent maar omdat het onnatuurlijk blijft
liever niet meer bent – zo is de ander
precies zoals je zelf al denkt: het is niet goed teveel te weten,
geheimen tekenen verstand, geven iets om handen.
Leg tussen jezelf / de ander een diepe zee en verf je haren,
hou je onhoorbaar voor elke poging tot elkaar, verzet je
tegen nadering met rotsvast uitgesproken namen.
Geef volle ruchtbaarheid en ga een oorlog aan, wees
te allen tijde onveranderbaar. Val met niemand samen.
© 2009, Ester Naomi Perquin
From: Namens de ander
Publisher: Van Oorschot, Amsterdam
From: Namens de ander
Publisher: Van Oorschot, Amsterdam
Poems
Poems of Ester Naomi Perquin
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STRANGERS
Just as in a photograph in which you’re seen from behindyou recognise yourself but because it’s unnatural
would rather not be there – so the other
is just as you already think: it’s not good to know too much,
secrets symbols reason give you something to do.
Place between yourself/the other a deep sea and dye your hair,
stay inaudible for each attempt at rapprochement, resist
approaches with loud names as unyielding as stone.
Make it fully public and embark upon a war, be
at all times immutable. Don’t coincide, be alone.
© 2012, Paul Vincent
From: Namens de ander
From: Namens de ander
STRANGERS
Just as in a photograph in which you’re seen from behindyou recognise yourself but because it’s unnatural
would rather not be there – so the other
is just as you already think: it’s not good to know too much,
secrets symbols reason give you something to do.
Place between yourself/the other a deep sea and dye your hair,
stay inaudible for each attempt at rapprochement, resist
approaches with loud names as unyielding as stone.
Make it fully public and embark upon a war, be
at all times immutable. Don’t coincide, be alone.
© 2012, Paul Vincent
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