Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Bernard Dewulf

Insomnia 3

(Dearest)
How do we converge. The night makes many bodies
and there is just one. I count you like the sheep,
the room is filled with shadows and other names than yours.
How do I kiss you to a vivid body inside me.
What do I call you, fair stranger asleep beside me.
Don’t let me lie, empty in so many guises.
I have dressed you up with toys and summers, torsos
and mouths, the carnival of thighs just reels on past.
I shall not rest till I unmask you.
I shan’t unmask you till I rest.
The walls are dark inside as in love’s depths.
And sleeping everywhere, a watchful, staring cold, always.

Insomnia 3

Insomnia 3

(Liefste)
Hoe vallen wij samen. De nacht maakt veel lichamen
en er is er maar één. Ik tel je als schaapjes,
de kamer raakt vol schimmen en andere namen dan jij.
Hoe kus ik je tot een helder lichaam in mij.
Hoe noem ik je, schone slapende vreemde naast mij.
Laat mij niet liggen, leeg in zoveel gedaanten.
Ik heb je verkleed in speelgoed en zomers, rompen
en monden, het carnaval van dijen draait maar voorbij.
Ik zal niet rusten voor ik je ontmasker.
Ik zal je niet ontmaskeren voor ik rust.
Het is duister in de muren als diep in de liefde.
En overal slaapt een wakende kijkende koude, altijd.
Close

Insomnia 3

(Dearest)
How do we converge. The night makes many bodies
and there is just one. I count you like the sheep,
the room is filled with shadows and other names than yours.
How do I kiss you to a vivid body inside me.
What do I call you, fair stranger asleep beside me.
Don’t let me lie, empty in so many guises.
I have dressed you up with toys and summers, torsos
and mouths, the carnival of thighs just reels on past.
I shall not rest till I unmask you.
I shan’t unmask you till I rest.
The walls are dark inside as in love’s depths.
And sleeping everywhere, a watchful, staring cold, always.

Insomnia 3

(Dearest)
How do we converge. The night makes many bodies
and there is just one. I count you like the sheep,
the room is filled with shadows and other names than yours.
How do I kiss you to a vivid body inside me.
What do I call you, fair stranger asleep beside me.
Don’t let me lie, empty in so many guises.
I have dressed you up with toys and summers, torsos
and mouths, the carnival of thighs just reels on past.
I shall not rest till I unmask you.
I shan’t unmask you till I rest.
The walls are dark inside as in love’s depths.
And sleeping everywhere, a watchful, staring cold, always.

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère