Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Tal Nitzán

THE CANARY

We’ll move the canary from the kitchen to the bath
we’ll move the computer from the terrace to the kitchen
the boy with his room will move to the terrace
we’ll push our bed to the corner in his room
we’ll place the girl in the remaining space
we’ll take another job
we’ll take another loan
we’ll sleep a little less
we’ll ask for a last reprieve
we’ll wipe from our hearts
the beloved memory of
the stolen car
the lost wallet
the broken window
and if it’s cramped we’ll push
and if it’s bitter we’ll sweeten
and if it’s about to crack
we’ll reach out our arms and tighten all around.

THE CANARY

Close

THE CANARY

We’ll move the canary from the kitchen to the bath
we’ll move the computer from the terrace to the kitchen
the boy with his room will move to the terrace
we’ll push our bed to the corner in his room
we’ll place the girl in the remaining space
we’ll take another job
we’ll take another loan
we’ll sleep a little less
we’ll ask for a last reprieve
we’ll wipe from our hearts
the beloved memory of
the stolen car
the lost wallet
the broken window
and if it’s cramped we’ll push
and if it’s bitter we’ll sweeten
and if it’s about to crack
we’ll reach out our arms and tighten all around.

THE CANARY

We’ll move the canary from the kitchen to the bath
we’ll move the computer from the terrace to the kitchen
the boy with his room will move to the terrace
we’ll push our bed to the corner in his room
we’ll place the girl in the remaining space
we’ll take another job
we’ll take another loan
we’ll sleep a little less
we’ll ask for a last reprieve
we’ll wipe from our hearts
the beloved memory of
the stolen car
the lost wallet
the broken window
and if it’s cramped we’ll push
and if it’s bitter we’ll sweeten
and if it’s about to crack
we’ll reach out our arms and tighten all around.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère