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Natan Zach

Dirge for Daniel Down


Dan-iel, Dan-iel, the woman wailed.
Dan-iel … Dan-iel … to no avail.
People went their ways on the street, with gray shoes,
and brisk, silent steps.
Evening fell.  The woman gathered
the remains of summer’s fruit on her porch
into a convenient corner.
Dan-iel … Dan-iel … her wailing echoed.
Stillness.  A stillness came up from the end
of the street, borne along on the breeze
from tree to tree.  The woman’s still wailing.  In vain.
Her strength is waning.  She’s made of dust and fear
in the heat.  She’s hot.  The screaming is dire—
chaotic, irrational.
Dan-iel …  Dan-iel …  What’s that chill
whispering across your skin so pale?  Dan-iel … Dan-iel,
don’t fail your mother.  Time’s running out.  Daniel beware.
Daniel whose sleep is red, whose tooth
is dire.  Sleep sweetly Daniel down.

DIRGE FOR DANIEL DOWN

Natan Zach

Natan Zach

(Duitsland, 1930 - 2020)

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DIRGE FOR DANIEL DOWN

Dirge for Daniel Down


Dan-iel, Dan-iel, the woman wailed.
Dan-iel … Dan-iel … to no avail.
People went their ways on the street, with gray shoes,
and brisk, silent steps.
Evening fell.  The woman gathered
the remains of summer’s fruit on her porch
into a convenient corner.
Dan-iel … Dan-iel … her wailing echoed.
Stillness.  A stillness came up from the end
of the street, borne along on the breeze
from tree to tree.  The woman’s still wailing.  In vain.
Her strength is waning.  She’s made of dust and fear
in the heat.  She’s hot.  The screaming is dire—
chaotic, irrational.
Dan-iel …  Dan-iel …  What’s that chill
whispering across your skin so pale?  Dan-iel … Dan-iel,
don’t fail your mother.  Time’s running out.  Daniel beware.
Daniel whose sleep is red, whose tooth
is dire.  Sleep sweetly Daniel down.
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