Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ruth Lasters

GLASS

Demand the right to roam on the sand from which they make
your new panes. Looking through windows is certainly different when you’ve
first wobbled over the gossamer-fine whiteness of which they’re made. Yes,

that way, hesitantly, after all you don’t want, - through the glass, for all this to be
resolved. Seeing without any guessing is like kneading bread
with mittens on. And now let some grains slip through your fingers

so that you can, through this future window, let your eyes slide
into someone’s eyes with just as many fractions of expression. Ask finally
whether it may please be possible to have the old windows, to be replaced,

returned to sand, in a bucket, opaque
and so finally themselves truly
observable.

GLAS

GLAS

Eis wandelrecht op het zand waaruit men je nieuwe ruiten
maakt. Het kijken door vensters is allicht anders als je op de ragfijne
witheid waaruit ze vervaardigd zijn eerst hebt gewankeld. Ja zo,

weifelachtig, je wil toch ook niet doorheen het glas dat dit straks
wordt alles vastberaden Zien zonder enig gissen is als gewant
brood kneden. En nu wat korrels laten glippen door je vingers

opdat je net zo, doorheen dit toekomstige raam, je blik in iemands
blik kan laten glijden met evenveel uitdrukkingsfracties. Vraag tot slot
of het alstublieft mogelijk is om de oude, te vervangen ruiten opnieuw

tot zand, in een emmer, ondoorzichtig
en dus eindelijk werkelijk zélf
bekijkbaar.
Close

GLASS

Demand the right to roam on the sand from which they make
your new panes. Looking through windows is certainly different when you’ve
first wobbled over the gossamer-fine whiteness of which they’re made. Yes,

that way, hesitantly, after all you don’t want, - through the glass, for all this to be
resolved. Seeing without any guessing is like kneading bread
with mittens on. And now let some grains slip through your fingers

so that you can, through this future window, let your eyes slide
into someone’s eyes with just as many fractions of expression. Ask finally
whether it may please be possible to have the old windows, to be replaced,

returned to sand, in a bucket, opaque
and so finally themselves truly
observable.

GLASS

Demand the right to roam on the sand from which they make
your new panes. Looking through windows is certainly different when you’ve
first wobbled over the gossamer-fine whiteness of which they’re made. Yes,

that way, hesitantly, after all you don’t want, - through the glass, for all this to be
resolved. Seeing without any guessing is like kneading bread
with mittens on. And now let some grains slip through your fingers

so that you can, through this future window, let your eyes slide
into someone’s eyes with just as many fractions of expression. Ask finally
whether it may please be possible to have the old windows, to be replaced,

returned to sand, in a bucket, opaque
and so finally themselves truly
observable.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère