Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Lloyd Haft

PSALM 141

What I have –
accept it.
Accept it when I say I need.
I have no incense,
no fragrant offerings.
What burns of me is a heart
close to your face.
And if my hands are empty,
I offer emptiness.
Hear in the sound of my lips
a searching,
a rehearsing of your name.
Ready for the grave that they were made for
my bones already are.
See how my eyes remain:
open, always on you.

NAAR PSALM 141

NAAR PSALM 141

Ziende, wat ik heb –
neem dat aan.
Neem van mij aan dat ik u nodig heb.
Ik heb geen wierook,
sta niet met reukwerk voor u.
Wat er van mij brandt
is een hart in uw aangezicht.
Sta ik met lege handen –
leegte geef ik u.
Hoor in de klank van mijn lippen
een zoeken,
een zinnen op uw naam.
Klaar, voor de groeve gereed
zijn mijn beenderen al.
Zie hoe mijn ogen blijven:
open, altijd op u.
Close

PSALM 141

What I have –
accept it.
Accept it when I say I need.
I have no incense,
no fragrant offerings.
What burns of me is a heart
close to your face.
And if my hands are empty,
I offer emptiness.
Hear in the sound of my lips
a searching,
a rehearsing of your name.
Ready for the grave that they were made for
my bones already are.
See how my eyes remain:
open, always on you.

PSALM 141

What I have –
accept it.
Accept it when I say I need.
I have no incense,
no fragrant offerings.
What burns of me is a heart
close to your face.
And if my hands are empty,
I offer emptiness.
Hear in the sound of my lips
a searching,
a rehearsing of your name.
Ready for the grave that they were made for
my bones already are.
See how my eyes remain:
open, always on you.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère