this poem
(i’ll say it up front)
does not want to be american

this poem is
autonomous by nature
and won’t let itself be bulldozed
and paved
for a holiday park
(although the profits would be bound to soar!)

this poem shelters
in hospitals, in schools
and churches
no drone or sniper
can hit it (not even there!)

not even if it’s standing behind a journalist
not even if it’s standing behind a relief worker
not even if it’s standing behind a child

this poem thinks:
throw words, not stones
shoot with ideas, not bullets

this poem is for everyone
including all those
who couldn’t give a damn about it
including those who say
“the renaissance has got completely out of hand!”

this poem wishes
that everyone would shut up
it’s an ordinary weekday morning on earth
go out for once
jump the fence
go for a walk
off limits (all limits!)
out of town
across the tracks
through the forest
to the land of pink snow

make this poem great again!
maybe the sun will show its face (if it dares)
that dirty light

this poem has always been with us
as old and crooked as war

Translation: David Colmer