Here in antwerp

awakened today to bells ringing and rain sounds-typical winter but for my dreams

last night. in one my car could fly. i know where i would drive

rain, books, listening…an introverted monk yet waiting eagerly for a sunny day…

even what i dreamed mingles with the bells, gulls and words this morning

i sit for a while and remember back

at least before the wars here, and then turn

towards forward…these bells are also ringing for us here now.

so i pull my phone out and try to put the bell tones inside it

so i can carry them with me. like those who pray at night carry the dead.

and the piano player is already practicing this morning-the warmth of piano tones

with the sight of cold north sea rain through the window—that’s what it’s like

even the gulls are trembling in the never finished church tower of St Jakob’s.

the old people couldn’t make it to church to pray today, as the stones are just too cold on a day like this. So i’ll pray for them, as those who are unseen in prayer.

or like those who pray at night.