SILENCE

- by Tymoteuscz Karpowicz (1921~ 2005 )

Silence is
sucking the earth dry

in the disembowelled
drum of a valley
echo-roots wither
too weak to raise
even one breath

in terror
I clutch at hands
for god's sake
let us breathe

let us breathe even if
not with our own strength
let us live even if
not with our own hearts

when stones arise
and sail the sky
in place of birds

let us beat even if not
with our own arms

if only to make the air
around us tremble.


* * *

- translated by Jan Darowski from the Polish of Tymoteuscz Karpowicz - (1921 Wilno / Vilius, Poland ~ 2005 Oak Park, Chicago, USA))