Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Roni Margulies

SS Rotterdam

The great white boat at the end of the harbour,
the boat which like a second and lesser sun
reflects the first light of day every morning,
the boat I have dreamt will one day take me away,
 
I now see is firmly tied to shore with hefty chains.
It is not now, nor any time soon, sailing anywhere.
It has long returned from what was its final journey,
forever to sit here, to entertain children and tourists.
 
I walked to it this morning for a closer look.
Thought I saw it tugging at its thick ropes,
Thought I heard a groan from its propellers.
I looked. Listened.
Alas, no.
I was wrong.
It was me.

Rotterdam Gemisi

Rotterdam Gemisi

Öğrendim ki, limanın ucundaki beyaz gemi,
sabahın ilk ışıklarını yansıttığında
ikinci bir güneş gibi parlayan gemi,
biner giderim diye hayal kurduğum gemi,
 
karaya bağlıymış kalın zincirlerle.
Gittiği yokmuş hiçbir yere.
Miadını doldurmuş çoktan,
oyuncak olmuş çocuklarla turistlere.
 
Yürüyüp bu sabah yanına vardım.
Asılıyor gibime geldi halatlarına bir an,
uskurundan bir hırıltı duyuyorum sandım.
Baktım, dinledim. Yok,
hayır, yanılmışım.
Benmişim.
Close

SS Rotterdam

The great white boat at the end of the harbour,
the boat which like a second and lesser sun
reflects the first light of day every morning,
the boat I have dreamt will one day take me away,
 
I now see is firmly tied to shore with hefty chains.
It is not now, nor any time soon, sailing anywhere.
It has long returned from what was its final journey,
forever to sit here, to entertain children and tourists.
 
I walked to it this morning for a closer look.
Thought I saw it tugging at its thick ropes,
Thought I heard a groan from its propellers.
I looked. Listened.
Alas, no.
I was wrong.
It was me.

SS Rotterdam

The great white boat at the end of the harbour,
the boat which like a second and lesser sun
reflects the first light of day every morning,
the boat I have dreamt will one day take me away,
 
I now see is firmly tied to shore with hefty chains.
It is not now, nor any time soon, sailing anywhere.
It has long returned from what was its final journey,
forever to sit here, to entertain children and tourists.
 
I walked to it this morning for a closer look.
Thought I saw it tugging at its thick ropes,
Thought I heard a groan from its propellers.
I looked. Listened.
Alas, no.
I was wrong.
It was me.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère