Samuel

 

 

I was sleeping and I awoke-
there were voices;
people called: we are hungry and thirsty--
and I went and said:
why did you call me?

And they said: we did not call you,
go back to sleep.

 

I was sleeping and awoke-
there were voices;
people called: we have illness and war--
and I went and said:
why did you call me?

And they said: we did not call you,
go back to sleep.

 

I was sleeping and I awoke-
there were voices;
people called: we have illness and war--
and I went and said:

Why did you call me?

And they said: we did not call you.

go back to sleep.

 

But one said:

If you are called again
you must say: here I am, I’m listening.

 

I was sleeping and I awoke-
there were voices.

I said: here I am, I’m listening.

Then I heard:

You must be the voice of the people
who are hungry and thirsty,
who are ill and dying,
who lie in the darkness of the prison.

Listen!

 

And I listened.

I would be that voice.

 

                                                            -Lieuwe Hornstra

                                                            --tr. from Frisian - HB