No Taxis Available

It is absurd not knowing

where to go.

You wear the streets like an overcoat.

Certain houses are friends, certain houses

Can no longer be visited.

Old love-affairs lurk in doorways, behind windows

Women grow older. Neglection blossoms.

You have turned down numerous invitations,

Left the telephones unanswered, said "No"

To the few that needed you.

Stranded on an island of your own invention

You have thrown out messages, longings.

How useless it is knowing that where you want to go

Is nowhere concrete.

The trains wil not take you there,

The red busses glide past without stopping.

No taxis available.

Gedicht: Brian Patten, 'No taxis available'

Foto: Rosa, http://www.flickr.com/photos/dadiva/