Poetry International Poetry International
Gedicht

Heather McHugh

FROM THE TOWER

FROM THE TOWER

FROM THE TOWER

Insanity is not a want of reason.
It is reason’s overgrowth, a calculating kudzu.

Explaining why, in two-ton manifesti, thinkers sally forth
with testaments and pipe bombs. Heaven help us:

spare us all your meaningful designs. Shine down or
shower forth, but (for the earthling’s sake) ignore
all prayers followed by against, or for. Teach us to bear

life’s senselessness, our insignificance, and more;
let’s call that sanity. The terrifying prospect isn’t some
escapist with old-fangled novels, fond of comfort, munching sweets—

it is the busy hermeneut, so serious
he’s sour, intent on making
meaning of us all, and bursting
from the tower to the street.
Heather McHugh

Heather McHugh

(Verenigde Staten, 1948)

Landen

Ontdek andere dichters en gedichten uit Verenigde Staten

Gedichten Dichters

Talen

Ontdek andere dichters en gedichten in het Engels

Gedichten Dichters
Close

FROM THE TOWER

Insanity is not a want of reason.
It is reason’s overgrowth, a calculating kudzu.

Explaining why, in two-ton manifesti, thinkers sally forth
with testaments and pipe bombs. Heaven help us:

spare us all your meaningful designs. Shine down or
shower forth, but (for the earthling’s sake) ignore
all prayers followed by against, or for. Teach us to bear

life’s senselessness, our insignificance, and more;
let’s call that sanity. The terrifying prospect isn’t some
escapist with old-fangled novels, fond of comfort, munching sweets—

it is the busy hermeneut, so serious
he’s sour, intent on making
meaning of us all, and bursting
from the tower to the street.

FROM THE TOWER

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