Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ingmar Heytze

CHANGE

for K. Schippers

 

The packaging of the outer
rubbish bag of a fresh roll
always goes first – tear, knock out, crumple, 

flap closed, done – likewise with every removal
you find again the same tin of keys. You have no
clue whether they still fit, and on which lock. 

Who knows which door or cupboard, what mailbox,
bike you used to have was locked for good.
The last box is loaded in, every empty space filled, 

floors and walls show where everything was,
only to you. You gotta move on, something
or someone drives you on, again you think 

I don’t want this but apparently you never draw
a line without crossing it. You pick up
the tin and walk through all the rooms once more. 

So here and there a key comes home that
you didn’t recall what it opened up to, but
more, much more you’re left with, the tin 

goes in your bag like change and later lands
on the bottom shelf of a new cupboard. Somewhere,
you think, there is a house you come home to. Everything fits. 

WISSELGELD

WISSELGELD

voor K. Schippers

 

Zoals in de buitenste vuilniszak
van een verse rol altijd eerst de verpakking
van die rol gaat – scheuren, uitslaan, frommelen, 

klep dicht, klaar – zo vind je bij elke verhuizing
weer hetzelfde blik met sleutels. Je hebt geen
flauw idee of ze nog passen, op welk slot. 

Wie weet welke deur of kast, wat voor postvak,
fiets van vroeger voorgoed vergrendeld werd.
De laatste doos is ingeladen, ieder gat gevuld, 

vloeren en muren laten zien waar alles stond,
alleen aan jou. Je moet verder, iets
of iemand drijft je voort, je denkt opnieuw 

ik wil dit niet maar blijkbaar trek je nooit
een lijn zonder eroverheen te gaan. Je pakt
het blik en loopt nog één keer alle kamers door. 

Zo komt hier en daar een sleutel thuis waarvan
je niet meer wist wat ermee openging, maar
meer, veel meer nog hou je over, het blik

gaat als wisselgeld in je tas en straks weer
onder in een nieuwe kast. Ergens, denk je,
staat een huis waarin je thuiskomt. Alles past.

Close

CHANGE

for K. Schippers

 

The packaging of the outer
rubbish bag of a fresh roll
always goes first – tear, knock out, crumple, 

flap closed, done – likewise with every removal
you find again the same tin of keys. You have no
clue whether they still fit, and on which lock. 

Who knows which door or cupboard, what mailbox,
bike you used to have was locked for good.
The last box is loaded in, every empty space filled, 

floors and walls show where everything was,
only to you. You gotta move on, something
or someone drives you on, again you think 

I don’t want this but apparently you never draw
a line without crossing it. You pick up
the tin and walk through all the rooms once more. 

So here and there a key comes home that
you didn’t recall what it opened up to, but
more, much more you’re left with, the tin 

goes in your bag like change and later lands
on the bottom shelf of a new cupboard. Somewhere,
you think, there is a house you come home to. Everything fits. 

CHANGE

for K. Schippers

 

The packaging of the outer
rubbish bag of a fresh roll
always goes first – tear, knock out, crumple, 

flap closed, done – likewise with every removal
you find again the same tin of keys. You have no
clue whether they still fit, and on which lock. 

Who knows which door or cupboard, what mailbox,
bike you used to have was locked for good.
The last box is loaded in, every empty space filled, 

floors and walls show where everything was,
only to you. You gotta move on, something
or someone drives you on, again you think 

I don’t want this but apparently you never draw
a line without crossing it. You pick up
the tin and walk through all the rooms once more. 

So here and there a key comes home that
you didn’t recall what it opened up to, but
more, much more you’re left with, the tin 

goes in your bag like change and later lands
on the bottom shelf of a new cupboard. Somewhere,
you think, there is a house you come home to. Everything fits. 

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère