Roland Jooris

1936 / Wetteren

Yarbird

1

I would like to place
that nightly blackbird
on a branch in a poem,
but after all why should
I, it's perched there
where it should be: in
a poem out there.
2

thank you so much, just
applause will do, that's
how yarbird charlie
dismissed the flaring
ovations

and that blackbird
in my garden too
can make do with
some musing after
a stirring solo

at the slightest clap of hand
he swishes off into
the dark

Translated by Peter Nijmeijer
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