Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Jan Baeke

THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO SIGNIFY A SILENCE

It’s right, but not because it’s true.

I have walked around for an hour.
Always the same window, not even a clear view.

You found something to hold to the light
and investigate.
The view where your head was.

We talked a lot.
I copied the way we looked.
You talked a lot, but disappeared.

I can guess where you are, but won’t.
Guess which hours have slowed down
any chance this will also happen elsewhere?

From whom will you and I hear
which way it is best to walk?

An answer gets involved in this
that doesn’t want to be an answer.

I don’t really have to be the one
who walks around just wanting to wait by the window.

This doesn’t have to signify a silence.

I could be the only one to say this and I’ll say it.

DIT HOEFT GEEN STILTE TE BETEKENEN

DIT HOEFT GEEN STILTE TE BETEKENEN

Het klopt, maar niet omdat het waar is.

Ik heb een uur rondgelopen.
Steeds hetzelfde raam, niet eens een helder uitzicht.

Jij vond iets om tegen het licht te houden
en te onderzoeken.
Het uitzicht waar jouw hoofd was.

Wij praatten veel.
Ik deed na hoe wij daarbij keken.
Jij praatte veel, maar verdween.

Ik kan raden waar jij bent, maar doe het niet.
Raad eens welke uren trager zijn geworden
hoeveel kans dat dit elders ook gebeurt?

Van wie zullen jij en ik te horen krijgen
hoe we het beste kunnen lopen?

Mengt zich een antwoord daarin
dat geen antwoord wil zijn.

Zo hoef ik niet degene te zijn
die rondloopt om bij het raam te willen wachten.

Dit hoeft geen stilte te betekenen.

Dit zou ik als enige kunnen zeggen en ik zeg het.
Close

THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO SIGNIFY A SILENCE

It’s right, but not because it’s true.

I have walked around for an hour.
Always the same window, not even a clear view.

You found something to hold to the light
and investigate.
The view where your head was.

We talked a lot.
I copied the way we looked.
You talked a lot, but disappeared.

I can guess where you are, but won’t.
Guess which hours have slowed down
any chance this will also happen elsewhere?

From whom will you and I hear
which way it is best to walk?

An answer gets involved in this
that doesn’t want to be an answer.

I don’t really have to be the one
who walks around just wanting to wait by the window.

This doesn’t have to signify a silence.

I could be the only one to say this and I’ll say it.

THIS DOESN’T HAVE TO SIGNIFY A SILENCE

It’s right, but not because it’s true.

I have walked around for an hour.
Always the same window, not even a clear view.

You found something to hold to the light
and investigate.
The view where your head was.

We talked a lot.
I copied the way we looked.
You talked a lot, but disappeared.

I can guess where you are, but won’t.
Guess which hours have slowed down
any chance this will also happen elsewhere?

From whom will you and I hear
which way it is best to walk?

An answer gets involved in this
that doesn’t want to be an answer.

I don’t really have to be the one
who walks around just wanting to wait by the window.

This doesn’t have to signify a silence.

I could be the only one to say this and I’ll say it.
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