Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Thomas Möhlmann

Lullaby

Every day taps turn on and off, doors open
and close with a comparable movement

ripples bob to and from the hull
there are people who are awake

and ready to go into town, while for others
it is already past their bedtime

but even when we sleep the days are a refuge
for those who breathe and the nights

rub gentle balsam on the skin
of everyone who’s lying in the dark

in mercy, in the pale glow
of the heavy and orange-sweet sky

completely misplaced absolute
faith, I think you are beautiful and yet

ripples, children, cities, desires
disappear every day, for some people

it is already time, for some people
it is always time for bed.

Slaaplied

Slaaplied

Er gaan dagelijks kranen, deuren open
en dicht met een vergelijkbare beweging

er schommelen kleine golven van
en naar de romp, er zijn mensen op

en klaar om de stad in te gaan
en mensen voor wie het bedtijd is

maar ook als we slapen bieden de dagen
onderdak aan wie ademhaalt en de nachten

wrijven zacht hun balsem op de huid
van iedereen die ligt, in het donker

in genade, in het zwakke schijnsel
de lucht zwaar en zoet van sinaasappels

het volkomen misplaatste volkomen
vertrouwen, ik vind je mooi en toch

verdwijnen er elke dag golven, kinderen,
steden, verlangens, zijn er altijd mensen

voor wie het bedtijd, mensen
voor wie het altijd bedtijd is.
Close

Lullaby

Every day taps turn on and off, doors open
and close with a comparable movement

ripples bob to and from the hull
there are people who are awake

and ready to go into town, while for others
it is already past their bedtime

but even when we sleep the days are a refuge
for those who breathe and the nights

rub gentle balsam on the skin
of everyone who’s lying in the dark

in mercy, in the pale glow
of the heavy and orange-sweet sky

completely misplaced absolute
faith, I think you are beautiful and yet

ripples, children, cities, desires
disappear every day, for some people

it is already time, for some people
it is always time for bed.

Lullaby

Every day taps turn on and off, doors open
and close with a comparable movement

ripples bob to and from the hull
there are people who are awake

and ready to go into town, while for others
it is already past their bedtime

but even when we sleep the days are a refuge
for those who breathe and the nights

rub gentle balsam on the skin
of everyone who’s lying in the dark

in mercy, in the pale glow
of the heavy and orange-sweet sky

completely misplaced absolute
faith, I think you are beautiful and yet

ripples, children, cities, desires
disappear every day, for some people

it is already time, for some people
it is always time for bed.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère