On humanity

She's not something you buy on the market,

like carrots, socks, vacuum cleaner bags.

Maybe she is a present for people who are

in a desperate need for it: a nifty gift for

those who are living in the mousy shadows.

Perhaps she looks like a precious jewel,

a tiny necklace with a berry blue diamond?

But you can't steal her, you can't rob her,

she has no value if you are not there yourself.

Can you teach her? Like algebra? Spanish?

The amazing thing is that you recognize her

when she is present: her unperturbed look,

her warm hand on your shivering shoulder.

Especially when humanity is lacking, you

feel it straight away: how bleak we become.

We are like refrigerators, basalt, tax forms.

Precisely because she is always so puzzling,

unguarded, you have to keep looking for her.

Without humanity you breathe, you work,

you sleep, you go on holidays, you meditate.

But where is the belief, the confidence

you belong on this wonderful grave planet?

You are related to all these silly creatures?