POEM
[Often when he was advancing]
Charles Julietoften
when he was advancing
feeling his way in the night
he was doubtful rebelled
wanted to climb back up
to the old light
but a force held him
enjoined him
to pursue
to venture
once more
once again
into the thickest darkness
of his shadow
one day
at the height of his distress
emptied of all force
driven to see that
the inaccessible would not yield
he admitted that he must
renounce it
to his great surprise
without his having
to take a single step
he crossed the threshold
came into the light
Translated by Louis Simpson
Source: Poetry (October 2000).
