Poetry International Poetry International
Gedicht

Paul Chidyausiku

Reduce or Go Upstairs

Reduce or Go Upstairs

Reduce or Go Upstairs

When shock absorbers in the spinal column are gone,
And discs squeak on each other when you’re walking,
When one or both legs are often in pain
And when there is no longer a spring in your step,
You had better start slowing down in your eating
Even though your appetite may be young and vigorous.
Those legs cannot carry the weight any more,
Nor can the aging heart shoulder the burden.

When that pouch keeps on growing
And makes you look like a pregnant woman,
When you find yourself unable to bend
And tie your laces with comfort
And cannot jog to correct this situation,
Then it’s time to go slow on those fried eggs.
The choice you must make is not easy
But reduce your weight or join them upstairs!
Paul Chidyausiku

Paul Chidyausiku

(Zimbabwe, 1927)

Landen

Ontdek andere dichters en gedichten uit Zimbabwe

Gedichten Dichters

Talen

Ontdek andere dichters en gedichten in het Engels

Gedichten Dichters
Close

Reduce or Go Upstairs

When shock absorbers in the spinal column are gone,
And discs squeak on each other when you’re walking,
When one or both legs are often in pain
And when there is no longer a spring in your step,
You had better start slowing down in your eating
Even though your appetite may be young and vigorous.
Those legs cannot carry the weight any more,
Nor can the aging heart shoulder the burden.

When that pouch keeps on growing
And makes you look like a pregnant woman,
When you find yourself unable to bend
And tie your laces with comfort
And cannot jog to correct this situation,
Then it’s time to go slow on those fried eggs.
The choice you must make is not easy
But reduce your weight or join them upstairs!

Reduce or Go Upstairs

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