Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Bart Meuleman

your flesh is ageing, how can I go on with you?

your flesh is ageing, how can I go on with you?
excrement is what you are, completely. it’s quite costly.
but look, look at your hands, you’re not bleeding anymore, while you were
once a pond.
you should let me be, I have a headache – that endless lighting never mind
what godforsaken hour of the day.
you’re really leaving. if I say now surroundings will vanish, quite gently,
then your likeness. press once more on the fleshy switch.

je vel wordt oud, hoe moet ik met je doorgaan?  

je vel wordt oud, hoe moet ik met je doorgaan?  
ontlasting ben je, met huid en haar. het jaagt me op kosten.  
maar kijk dan, kijk naar je handen, je bloedt niet meer, terwijl je ooit
een vijver was.
je moet me ook laten, ‘k heb koppijn – die eeuwige verlichting gelijk welk
onmenselijk uur van de dag.
je gaat me echt laten. als ik nu zeg verdwijnt de omgeving, heel zachtjes,
dan je beeltenis. nog een druk op de vlezige schakelaar.
Close

your flesh is ageing, how can I go on with you?

your flesh is ageing, how can I go on with you?
excrement is what you are, completely. it’s quite costly.
but look, look at your hands, you’re not bleeding anymore, while you were
once a pond.
you should let me be, I have a headache – that endless lighting never mind
what godforsaken hour of the day.
you’re really leaving. if I say now surroundings will vanish, quite gently,
then your likeness. press once more on the fleshy switch.

your flesh is ageing, how can I go on with you?

your flesh is ageing, how can I go on with you?
excrement is what you are, completely. it’s quite costly.
but look, look at your hands, you’re not bleeding anymore, while you were
once a pond.
you should let me be, I have a headache – that endless lighting never mind
what godforsaken hour of the day.
you’re really leaving. if I say now surroundings will vanish, quite gently,
then your likeness. press once more on the fleshy switch.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère