ALONG NAMELESS ROADS

ALONG NAMELESS ROADS

Psalm | Paul Bogaert

Open the gate is open. We sing
out of tune on membership days. We hula hoop. Zest for life
is the loveliest hairpin we can wear

(all) along nameless roads,
along nameless roads.


There is no harm in wanting advice.
The sightliest route is paved with questions. Doubts
are the best sandals we can wear

along nameless roads,
along nameless roads.


If the motif is made of tiny skulls
the textile should be returned to the boutique. Shamelessness
is the coolest coat we can wear

along nameless roads,
along nameless roads.


Almost everything has been charted
but not everything is named. Part-time silence
is across the land the sturdiest walking stick

along nameless roads,
along nameless roads.


We praise the delay and the extended estimated
time of arrival. Partial acceptance
is the cleanest underwear

along nameless roads,
along nameless roads.


But at night when the gate is closed.
And we lie deceitfully. And the black
comes flapping. At nighttime at the gate.

Then we practice the ruse. The wish
for one last pear out of the ancient tree!
The spell, rhythmically proclaimed.

The macabre picker will remain stuck out there
and weep and beg and promise to never again
return and fall and disappear

along unpaved roads (x4)

Original title of this poem: Langs naamloze wegen
The original version of this poem was written for Poesia Divina 2018. Nine poets were asked to write a new psalm text under the motto ‘Don’t be ashamed to be human’.
Translated from the Dutch in a workshop at Columbia University NY (April 2019) by Alex K, Alex R, Alex W, Cindy K, Colin T, Fiona D, Jay H., Katie W, Kenny V, Lucky S, Michael M, Schweta R en Wijnie D.