Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Roland Jooris

TWO VOICES

It is the angular
that compels the tongue,
language
squeezed
in its own rattling
 
speech which,
swallowed as dissent
and gasping with impotence
digs
into the earth
 
it is the            ineffable
defenceless defiance
the crusty moss
of withered light
the air smelling of
slowness and of
soil
            of irredeemable
time, the cracks
in this merciless
waiting: struck dumb, purified
in each others’ reserve.

TWEESPRAAK

TWEESPRAAK

Het is het hoekige
dat de tong dwingt
de taal
in haar gedokker
gedrongen
 
de spraak die
ingeslikt als tegenspraak
en stokkend zich van onmacht
in de aarde
spit
 
het is het onuitspreekbare
weerloos weerspannige
het korstig morsig
of verstorven licht
de lucht die ruikt naar
traagte en naar
grond
            de onherstelbare
tijd, de barsten
in dit ongenadig
wachten: verstomd, gelouterd
in elkaars eenzelvigheid.
Close

TWO VOICES

It is the angular
that compels the tongue,
language
squeezed
in its own rattling
 
speech which,
swallowed as dissent
and gasping with impotence
digs
into the earth
 
it is the            ineffable
defenceless defiance
the crusty moss
of withered light
the air smelling of
slowness and of
soil
            of irredeemable
time, the cracks
in this merciless
waiting: struck dumb, purified
in each others’ reserve.

TWO VOICES

It is the angular
that compels the tongue,
language
squeezed
in its own rattling
 
speech which,
swallowed as dissent
and gasping with impotence
digs
into the earth
 
it is the            ineffable
defenceless defiance
the crusty moss
of withered light
the air smelling of
slowness and of
soil
            of irredeemable
time, the cracks
in this merciless
waiting: struck dumb, purified
in each others’ reserve.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère