FINALE Poem by Gerrit Komrij

My body slides against hers in the ooze.
Belly to belly. Mud our cling-film suit.
It is a very curious ‘swan-stick-to'
Because this swan lacks feathers and is mute.

I sink. The meadow fireworks crack and spit.
Without a death my life's deserted me.
I'm nothing more now than my silhouette.
I had but one true friend: eternity.

My final glimpse is how my advocate
Waves something white. I peer and squint, yet still
I cannot make out what - it's now too late:
A handkerchief, the contract or the bill.