On the watch

It is ten in the evening
and I am watching the night,
and feeling the night on the earth
like a black cowl.
And my body, light as a bird's,
is light as well inside.
All life has lain to sleep
like the spent soldier sleeping.

It is ten at night.
I am watching.
I wish to watch on for months,
like this until the peace,
not thinking of my old mother
but singing the songs of my country!

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Nöbette by A. Kadir

Translated August 18, 2020

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