GLITTERING PASSAGE Poem by Arjen Duinker

Glittering on the other side of fantasy,
Disguised as a wooden anchor,
Yesterday drifted through the canal
Outstanding obscurity.

Breathless the street checked its step,
Opposite equally breathless.
Finally the undistinguishable showed itself,
Floating through the canal without secrets.

First we looked warily,
With fear, fear of betrayal,
White lies, consolation, sentiment
That we thought to be symbolic.

But the way that it went, slowly
Through the unreal canal, obscurity.
‘Spectrum of sparks, be welcome!'
Briefly we thought ourselves pure.

Then the bridge was raised.
Panic broke our hearts.
Whispers, stammering, disbelief,
Cries of loathing, dismay.

In vain. Superior to the character
Of the crowd the glittering slid by,
Truly without being obscure,
To the other side of the bridge.

We vaguely saw a glow, memory
That faded slowly in the distance.
O formidable obscurity! Grumbling
And cursing we retreated once more into nature.