Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Mark Boog

HAPPINESS

Happiness is surmountable. One places it
in a glass case and goes to work.
Those who ask are allowed to see it,
accompanied by a balanced commentary.

It is customary to lean back in the evening
and, in the refined light it is
exhibited, consider this happiness.
One gives one’s companion a nudge.
They nod or say quite softly: ‘Yes.’

To what extent this happiness determines us
is not even the question: absolutely. We are nothing
but our happiness, and happiness is where we are.

Only whilst wiping the glass top
we sometimes lower our eyes. The damp cloth
is slack in our hands. So beautiful.

GELUK

GELUK

Het geluk is overkomelijk. Men plaatst het
in een vitrine en gaat aan het werk.
Wie ernaar vraagt krijgt het te zien,
onder weloverwogen commentaar.

Het is gebruikelijk om ’s avonds achterover
te zitten en het geluk, zoals dat beschaafd
verlicht tentoongesteld staat, te beschouwen.
Men stoot de deelgenoot erover aan.
Die knikt of zegt heel zachtjes: ‘Ja.’

In hoeverre het geluk ons bepaalt
is niet eens een vraag: totaal. Wij zijn niets
dan ons geluk, en het geluk is waar wij zijn.

Slechts tijdens het afnemen van de glasplaat
slaan we soms de ogen neer. De vochtige
doek hangt slap in onze handen. Zo mooi.
Close

HAPPINESS

Happiness is surmountable. One places it
in a glass case and goes to work.
Those who ask are allowed to see it,
accompanied by a balanced commentary.

It is customary to lean back in the evening
and, in the refined light it is
exhibited, consider this happiness.
One gives one’s companion a nudge.
They nod or say quite softly: ‘Yes.’

To what extent this happiness determines us
is not even the question: absolutely. We are nothing
but our happiness, and happiness is where we are.

Only whilst wiping the glass top
we sometimes lower our eyes. The damp cloth
is slack in our hands. So beautiful.

HAPPINESS

Happiness is surmountable. One places it
in a glass case and goes to work.
Those who ask are allowed to see it,
accompanied by a balanced commentary.

It is customary to lean back in the evening
and, in the refined light it is
exhibited, consider this happiness.
One gives one’s companion a nudge.
They nod or say quite softly: ‘Yes.’

To what extent this happiness determines us
is not even the question: absolutely. We are nothing
but our happiness, and happiness is where we are.

Only whilst wiping the glass top
we sometimes lower our eyes. The damp cloth
is slack in our hands. So beautiful.
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