Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ester Naomi Perquin

DELAY

We are modern. It’s not the right century for love and
there are no women anywhere standing on towers
looking out. The last knight
died of syphillis.
 
We have lost the knack of fluttering banners,
the whispering between the stones,
song and the names of flowers.
 
Hastily we toss each other
body parts in passing.
All is well.
 
Bolt these doors when it
grows dark. Stay with me.
Lock your horse.

OPONTHOUD

OPONTHOUD

We zijn modern. Het is de juiste eeuw voor liefde niet
en nergens staan nog vrouwen op de torens,
uit te kijken. De laatste ridder
stierf aan syfilis.
 
We zijn de wapperende vlaggen verleerd,
het fluisteren tussen de stenen,
gezang en bloemennamen.
 
We werpen elkaar in het passeren
haastig lichaamsdelen toe.
Alles gaat goed.
 
Vergrendel deze deuren als het
donker wordt. Blijf bij me.
Zet je paard op slot.
Close

DELAY

We are modern. It’s not the right century for love and
there are no women anywhere standing on towers
looking out. The last knight
died of syphillis.
 
We have lost the knack of fluttering banners,
the whispering between the stones,
song and the names of flowers.
 
Hastily we toss each other
body parts in passing.
All is well.
 
Bolt these doors when it
grows dark. Stay with me.
Lock your horse.

DELAY

We are modern. It’s not the right century for love and
there are no women anywhere standing on towers
looking out. The last knight
died of syphillis.
 
We have lost the knack of fluttering banners,
the whispering between the stones,
song and the names of flowers.
 
Hastily we toss each other
body parts in passing.
All is well.
 
Bolt these doors when it
grows dark. Stay with me.
Lock your horse.
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