Transformation

I haven't written a single poem

in months.

I've lived humbly, reading the paper,

pondering the riddle of power

and the reasons for obedience.

I've watched sunsets

(crimson, anxious),

I've heard birds grow quiet

and night's muteness.

I've seen sunflowers dangling

their heads at dusk, as if a careless hangman

had gone strolling through the gardens.

September's sweet dust gathered

on the windowsill and lizards

hid in the bends of walls.

I've taken long walks,

craving one thing only:

lightening,

transformation,

you.

-Adam Zagajewski, translated by Clare Cavanagh

from the current issue of World Literature Today, which features Zagajewski, the 2004 Neustadt Laureate.

Comments

[gulnaz]

thanks for posting this, i loved reading it.

[whiskey river]

yes. I like this one, very much.

[dale]

me too.

[leslee]

This is wonderful. Goodness, there are some great Polish poets! I grew up with my mom's snottiness about her Polish in-laws, and their own lack of education (they were pretty much peasants), so I never realized until I was an adult the richness of the culture.

[karen]

thanks for this poem - I really like it - and for the link.