Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Hans Faverey

First the message kills

First the message kills
the receiver, then
it kills the sender.
It does not matter
in what language.
 
I stand up, throw
the balcony doors open
and take a breath.
 
The gulls circling
above the snowless street
I will not entice
with gestures of feeding.
 
I light a cigarette;
return to my post,
and take a breath.
 
There is nothing to dream.
Everything is possible.
Little matters.

Eerst doodt het bericht

Eerst doodt het bericht
de ontvanger, daarna
doodt het de zender.
Het geeft niet
in welke taal.

Ik sta op, stoot
de balkondeuren open
en haal adem.

De rondcirkelende meeuwen
boven de sneeuwloze straat
ga ik niet lokken door
voederbewegingen te maken.

Ik steek een sigaret op;
keer terug op mijn post,
en haal adem.

Er valt niets te dromen.
Alles is mogelijk.
Weinig doet er toe.
Close

First the message kills

First the message kills
the receiver, then
it kills the sender.
It does not matter
in what language.
 
I stand up, throw
the balcony doors open
and take a breath.
 
The gulls circling
above the snowless street
I will not entice
with gestures of feeding.
 
I light a cigarette;
return to my post,
and take a breath.
 
There is nothing to dream.
Everything is possible.
Little matters.

First the message kills

First the message kills
the receiver, then
it kills the sender.
It does not matter
in what language.
 
I stand up, throw
the balcony doors open
and take a breath.
 
The gulls circling
above the snowless street
I will not entice
with gestures of feeding.
 
I light a cigarette;
return to my post,
and take a breath.
 
There is nothing to dream.
Everything is possible.
Little matters.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère