Halina Birenbaum
Sounds
of a
guilty
silence
* * *
I want to be satisfied, peaceful
I want to think about good, trust
rejoice in life, love, joy
and give gladness, merriment, love
but I can not
involuntarily I do harm to myself and others
harm with my sadness
eternal worry which is fuming in me
and I am doing things I don't want
feeling things I do not want
I would like to run away from myself
away from that which is ruling my life
which stirs in me
pushing me I don't know where and why
but there is no escape, there is none
because all the time something is chasing me
and catching me everywhere
certain pain moan cry
chasing after me in good days
happy warm nights
tormenting, controlling
prompting
does not allow a moment of rest
demanding always from me something
sorrow yearning is chasing after me
after my loved lost ones
to real good people
today
- and longing to myself
not to the browbeaten, despondent, sad one
but to the one I would like to be
which I know I could have been
if only I would not be chased
by this pain
I like to be joyful, confident and peaceful
giving joy, serenity, cheer
but I can not
44
Herzllya - December 31, 1967