Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Charles Ducal

FARM

As long as the ink is wet
the farm stays in speech.

A crow searches the dunghill
as a finger browsing a dictionary.

In the backyard notions lay
rusting as fatigued steel.

The door in which a sty begins
gives off a smell of old poetry.

In ink splatters the flies swarm
out across the creaking barrow.

The hand that is about to dig
roots meaninglessly through the feed.

The waiting eyes look moist,
moved by hunger.

BEDRIJF

BEDRIJF

Zolang de inkt nat is
ligt het bedrijf in de taal.

Een kraai speurt in de mestvaalt
als een vinger in een woordenboek.

Op het achtererf liggen begrippen
te roesten als moegeworden metaal.

De deur waar een stal in ontstaat
laat een geur los van oude gedichten.

In inktspatten zwermen de vliegen
boven de piepende kruiwagen uit.

De hand die gaat scheppen
woelt nog betekenisloos in het voer.

De ogen die wachten staan vochtig,
van honger ontroerd.
Close

FARM

As long as the ink is wet
the farm stays in speech.

A crow searches the dunghill
as a finger browsing a dictionary.

In the backyard notions lay
rusting as fatigued steel.

The door in which a sty begins
gives off a smell of old poetry.

In ink splatters the flies swarm
out across the creaking barrow.

The hand that is about to dig
roots meaninglessly through the feed.

The waiting eyes look moist,
moved by hunger.

FARM

As long as the ink is wet
the farm stays in speech.

A crow searches the dunghill
as a finger browsing a dictionary.

In the backyard notions lay
rusting as fatigued steel.

The door in which a sty begins
gives off a smell of old poetry.

In ink splatters the flies swarm
out across the creaking barrow.

The hand that is about to dig
roots meaninglessly through the feed.

The waiting eyes look moist,
moved by hunger.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère