KH.SUGLEGMAA

WINDOW

My room with a single window.
A single window to myself.
Through it, I watch the morning sun and the moon at night,
And notice no-one else.

I come towards you, I stop without a word.
I look at you, I think of you fodly.
I call with all my strength and I weep.
I support you, I encourage others too.
I come towards you, showing off my joy.
Laughing, talking loudly, no need to be embarrassed,
I come towards you spreading out my melancholy.
No need to patch up misplaced words.
No asking forgiveness.
No rebuke that the target is broad.
No challenging, no soothing.
No tearful rejections.

When we pray to heaven at our wits’ end,
We do not join our palms together.
When I am annoyed with you in secret,
I do not cut my hair to win you over.
When you have heard my joy and sadness,
You do not give an answer.
You watch
My strange excitement,
And do not ask me where I’m going.

My room with a single window.
A single window to myself.
Day after day of joy and misery,
Sucking out their ewual shares.

Why have I always struggled towards you?
Why have I always been petulant with you?
Why have I always missed you?
Why have I always encouraged you?
You see now a poet can be loved,
How a poet can be distressed,
How a poet can be desired,
How a poet can be left.

I cannot watch without talking.
You are smiling sweetly.
I can barely think.
How can you find such peace?

My room with a single window.
A single window to myself.
Through it, I watch the morning sun and the moon at night,
And notice no-one else.

Translated by Simon Bekham Smith