Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Mustafa Stitou

I have two half faces

I have two half faces.
Two half faces.
 
Do what your Father says,
says the keyring,
and you will be safe.
 
And the empty snail’s shell?
The mouldy bread?
The box of condoms?
 
The rat poison? The weeping
party mask on the wall?
 
The glowing orange
on the sideboard?
The Unbreakable brand
comb? The gloves
she forgot in her rush?
 
Two half faces.
 
And the mistrust
in my twinkling eyes?
As strong as the impulse
to refuse all
responsibility! 
 
The keyring says:
Do what your Father says
and you will be safe.
 
But the snail’s shell
echoes the god of joy
(and freedom):
Forget the difference
and you will find identity.

Twee halve gezichten heb ik

Twee halve gezichten heb ik.
Twee halve gezichten.
 
Doe wat je Vader zegt,
zegt de sleutelhanger,
en je zult veilig zijn.
 
En het lege slakkenhuis?
Het schimmelende brood?
Het doosje condooms?
 
Het muizengif? Het jankende
feestmasker aan de muur?
 
De blakende sinaasappel
op het dressoir? Het kammetje
van het merk Unbreakable?
Haar handschoenen die zij
inderhaast is vergeten?
 
Twee halve gezichten.
 
En de achterdocht
in mijn pretoogjes?
Sterk als de impuls
verantwoordelijkheid
te weigeren!
 
De sleutelhanger zegt:
Doe wat je Vader zegt
en je zult veilig zijn.
 
Maar het slakkenhuis
zegt de god van de vreugde na
(en de vrijheid):
Vergeet het verschil
en je zult identiteit vinden.
Close

I have two half faces

I have two half faces.
Two half faces.
 
Do what your Father says,
says the keyring,
and you will be safe.
 
And the empty snail’s shell?
The mouldy bread?
The box of condoms?
 
The rat poison? The weeping
party mask on the wall?
 
The glowing orange
on the sideboard?
The Unbreakable brand
comb? The gloves
she forgot in her rush?
 
Two half faces.
 
And the mistrust
in my twinkling eyes?
As strong as the impulse
to refuse all
responsibility! 
 
The keyring says:
Do what your Father says
and you will be safe.
 
But the snail’s shell
echoes the god of joy
(and freedom):
Forget the difference
and you will find identity.

I have two half faces

I have two half faces.
Two half faces.
 
Do what your Father says,
says the keyring,
and you will be safe.
 
And the empty snail’s shell?
The mouldy bread?
The box of condoms?
 
The rat poison? The weeping
party mask on the wall?
 
The glowing orange
on the sideboard?
The Unbreakable brand
comb? The gloves
she forgot in her rush?
 
Two half faces.
 
And the mistrust
in my twinkling eyes?
As strong as the impulse
to refuse all
responsibility! 
 
The keyring says:
Do what your Father says
and you will be safe.
 
But the snail’s shell
echoes the god of joy
(and freedom):
Forget the difference
and you will find identity.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère