Jan Baeke Poems

You play a game.

You work according to the rules, but don't say, afterwards
give him a day to get out of sight.
...

Not a sound. Not a single sound.
Something in the mechanism had been moved
as a result of which the dog failed to bark.
...

So beautiful, so useful, so unrelenting
this moon, while you are sitting next to me
while flowers bounce off you
and none of my words or glances
...

One thing holds, the other does not.
Today two hours of yesterday's repeats.
We have plenty of time, take note:
...

It's right, but not because it's true.

I have walked around for an hour.
Always the same window, not even a clear view.
...

A man like the one recently found, nicely made
a little younger for this occasion and glancing
in such a way that his hand can shake yours
and his voice can bring coolness.
...

How to stay ahead of the heat?

Sweat, sit still, think of one's duty
to keep thoughts empty, be light for example
or embrace the murmur of creation
...

Motionless. On the other hand
the body turned over along a line of trees
skipping thoughts, a wandering line.
...

Words like coffee, sun and car
don't wear as easily in use
as beauty, restlessness and sleep.
...

On the road as always, read my hand
bought a canary
saw you.
...