"At the sea" and other poems

by Inga Pizāne

Translated from the Latvian by Jayde Will

At the sea

While doing a writer’s residency
I went to beach every afternoon
to look at the sea.

There was neither the beginning
nor final credits.

I could come anytime, but
I didn’t know, when I should
leave.

“Where are all the people?” a ninety year-old woman asked me.
I didn’t know what to reply.

“I am going to the sea because I don’t know where else to go,” she told me.

My heart quietly rustled.

“Me too,” I replied,
(when she had already left).

---

Silence

This poem won’t change the world –
perhaps I should have
saved the paper and ink,

simply come up to the poetry microphone
and stay silent.
Stay silent as long,
as there’s silence...

perhaps,

silence
is the only thing,
that can change the world.

---

The road

The road is weary
Of standing in place
My feet are the last to fall asleep
And all the streets, I went along,
Fall asleep in me.

Will the road travelled today,
Become the light
When I awaken?

---

Photo cover by Julia Dragan