I wrote this poem in 2003 between many short trips and a longer one. It’s all still valid. Dedicated to all those who cannot travel or who are forced to move against their will and to those who are stuck and do not know why.
TIME FOR ME or SESAME
The sky opens up, towards me
Clouds spread
Colours get darker
Then bright again.
The moment has come.
It’s time for me to go
It’s time for me to leave behind
It’s time for me to look ahead.
When the door opens
Careful I slip through
As quickly as I can
As quietly as I can
I slip through it
Towards what I don’t know
Towards what I don’t care
I just go
Because the moment has come.
I’ve been waiting for long
My things already packed
My nails all bitten out
My stomach a tight knot
But ready to loose promptly
My mind follows the tide
Once hurrying to go
Now glad to wait
Knowing that it’s not a waste of time
It’s not a void in the search
Only a pause
A helpful pause
A simple break
An useful wait
Yes I could
Break the door with an axe
Yes I could
Kick it down
I could burn it
Or simply walk the other way
And find a door already open
As I have already done before.
But not this time
This time I’ve chosen
I’ve chosen and I stick
I stick to this one
And I won’t move.
Once I thought I was the problem
Once I thought the key wasn’t the right one
The door was the wrong one.
But then I observed
I studied the door
I looked at the sky
And down at my hands
And I smiled
‘coz the door opened
but only at certain moments
only at particular instants
following its rhythm
its internal rhythm
its unique movement
if I wanted to enter
I didn’t have to force myself in
I had to learn to wait,
Learn to wait.
Breath calmly
And be ready,
Ready to leave.
