Mischa Andriessen

1970

Gate

Father was standing outside the front door.
The son sent him away, waited
long days until he came back,
chased him off again and again
but watched longer with each return
imprinting his features as if trying
in the end to find something to remember.
When Father appeared on the garden path yet again
he immediately pulled on his coat, went
outside, pulled the door shut behind him.
They walked off together, knowing the way.

Translation: 2017, David Colmer
114 Total read