Poems

Sample of Jakub´s poems

Happiness…


Speckled sun
shining into my soul
in the Tavern Restaurant
in Cinema Sodom
This could be the most beautiful moment ever
or perhaps
under my shut eyelids
the end of the world
of orange nature
in old cars'
rear-view mirrors



.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.




I


Right now at this very moment
the Anamnes has exploded
The moistness of leaves turned into vapour by the heat
of my flooded head
and palms of hands sliding down your body
like that of a bole
further down the unseeable
than the centre of holes
All the rest is myth
bear with me for this moment!




II


You look through stones
with worm holes
Deceit
June eats you whole
Nothing is
and the covered-over
has little to erode




III


The sun lends us
its parade conducted to an exquisite beat
undressing copper not unlike foam
and we radiate into the night
under the watchful eye of fully-loaded sunflowers
in the wet grounds
in the rock's sandy face




IV


A sun-warmed stone lying by the sea
like a girl
Or could a roe's skin be firmer
through the wrinkled eye of a bullet
Or foot cut open
on a sweating desert leaf
can burn like the summer's end?




V


A rhododendron looking at me
I am to grow all the way down to a liana
why drink in the rain
the bush is broken in two
looking like stone
The swimmer-me can hope to find his
salty bay
in which the cross is set on a frame
where schooners weep
and the landslide veils noon as early as the morning




 

The Stele of Silence

prologue

You were my pearl
in the valley of tears
produced from the Atlantis of the pond
with a broken dike
You – redeemed
by the spine of the Vítek brook
with the eyes of wells innocent in their treachery
seductive in your ancient beauty
the last to come in through the night
before oblivion
fleeing
mirroring
the mysterious order of the stars
M E V E J A A M
You – – –

station number one

In the former palace of the scrolls
consecrated to Sophia
today's games parlour – just as must be
He sits, horny
not his old self today
risk-taker more so
than the ones losing their dignity here
Enter She:
in a form not forbidding looks
surrounded by amorous flashes
she is to herself the crowd of photographers at Cannes
He mistakes it for a come-on
and takes her home to listen to Janáček
During which she almost falls out the window
where she sits smoking - somnambulistic
tearing the house down with her laughs for grabs
his head confused by the following connection:
is he not himself that Mr. Brouček
with his excursions?
Bingo!

station number two

Mad is the most beautiful
Seifert wrote and knew what he was saying
I mean he got the Nobel Prize for it!
They meet again
in the rain she is the shoeless witch
they've known each other for centuries and got used to it
Another time above the town of Pray
carving with their knife into the sandy stone
uncovering a piece of trickling corium
a place of self-entrusting sacrifice
He carries her home sleeping
in memory of darkness
pale as a candle
she's as tiny as the universe
He then lies at her feet
masturbating

station number three

In an eroded day
they take the train to Srbsko
where water has torn down a bridge
Coda equals the last will
The palisades of beaver dams turn them back
to pagan times
as they jump across the shouting boulder heads
The forest exposes its belly to autumn
the mood of beeches intertwines with needles
as they wade through the leaves
up to a child's waste
They arrive at a place thrice sacred
where everything seems to scream Incest!
Running down from rocks set firm against the mud
He She It
trinity almost holy
in that landscape filled with quarries
of the heart
which cannot be even thought to the end!

intermezzo

There by the western wall of the Radshin farmstead
I rode downhill on the sledge as a child
watching the men struggling to pull up
that eerie winter load
The goldenrods meanwhile waited for you
herdswoman with her firing mouth askew
springing forth as a fresh bud of spring
You make me return to the broken link
Seeing I'm mad or so I think
I thought I might mend that old powder warehouse
and live in it sitting on the last barrel of powder
Meanwhile the stealing forest
has erased the positions of rocks
the silent sign
of when we are born again
On that same night we desert the orphaned flax-beating house
hung on the coach's wheel
hugging
for our lives
as out there
in the darkness behind the window
there lies the truth of permanence

station number four

Soon there was not a part of Prague five left
where he wouldn't have stroked her leg
– the base camp was set up in the Vera Pub
There is no phone booth left
which couldn't have hosted their one and only peep-show
for the night's frightened audience
– if it's something else you want then go get an aubergine from the Nicholas of Heslov Restaurant!
There is no cash machine left anywhere
that could still be stripped of money –
oh life in debt
how beauteous
and what images you bring oh oxygen debt
love-induced
and what returns to the transfer sites of homes and what
nights spent all in wait for a text message!
And how friendly you look
oh train-station fast food ominously named Oasis
with her turning on the high heel of her stubbornness...

station number five

Oh indomitable Christianity
you cross-shaped lever set against the world
He – walking again through the Průhony alley after thirty years
taking the cattle-road to the baptismal font of Klejnoty
Every once in a while with his friend fluttering behind at an understanding's distance
they step over the frozen trickle of a brook
To search for childhood's mind is to search in vain
as presently it too is absent-minded
Meanwhile She releases like a wound up toy
in two bands
testifying to belly-dancing with an undeserved lap
Oh longed-for desolation of the Killer Lake
the silent moors
orchard of picturesque pines
fallen-tree gate
to the kingdom of moss stones
meadow frozen over like a mirror
whose shine prevents Him from finding the Pearl
And again
the familiar sacrificial bowls waiting for fresh blood
phantom pillar in the woods
The stele of silence

station number six

Over the Smíchov Gardens Sacré-coeur
a day sets lighting up
an intricate street-lamp net
the world is so created – elated in its duty
that the air's pulp rejoices
and the spirit tingles like a pet –
beauty! beauty!
She however came to part
which they couldn't face to face
they started stroking
long
pressing
till all the nearby lovers suffered strokes
And while within memory's distance the Philip and Jacob church at Zlíchov
bids welcome late pilgrims from the south
the river folk stumble sailor-like
on jagged white-red limestone
and local rummy

the ship yard's swing-door lolls out a thin stew
at a lifeguard with non-swimmer herring on his rod
She forbids herself
„The next time I won't come“
setting up false ports before his anchor
„it's the reptile living in the Blue Star Rock
the grey lizard!“

epilogue

Dusk sets at Radshin
through the point of intersection of a girl's breasts
disclosing the place and time of landing
all you have to do is understand
I'll show you the secret of the hanging meadow at Košíře
the mystery of the musical baptismal font with watering of horses prohibited
the dream of forest chambers at Slavonice
Inhaling I look back –
you're gone
I'm struck by the anxiety of a lost self
it's more like going mad
I mean I know I'm not to usurp the pearl!

With the heart all mine still
caught in a mill
I walk towards the dawn – – –

It's EVERYTHING
or
NOTHING!

[jkb 2003]

Lyrics

Sample of Jakub´s lyrics

ORCHARD IN WHITE LIGHT


So the light keeps shining on
Oh yeah the white light keeps shining on
There's a grail still hidden in the realm
Though some might thing it must be gone
For that light only can I forgive all
In its shadow I learn to believe more
Oh pardon pardon never mind
The light is what we leave behind

The road drags me on along a fence
Barking of dogs, abbey walls and dense
Nothingness where I take my chance
I cross the rails and stop and hence
I’m summoned forward, left and right
I’m summoned to the old orchard
Oh pardon pardon never mind
The light is what we leave behind

That light's been here for eternity
Bordering on the edges of infinity
The breath of bones – habal garmin – is heard inside
I see it spreading far and wide
For that light only can I still forgive
It is the only trick up my sleeve
Oh pardon mind you never mind
I’m still here to give out a little kindness

I'm summoned on towards the sky
Spread wide and silent, low and high
And still I feel there's someone nigh
Giving advice answering whys
I seek what had so long to wait
I’ve found the orchard’s key, fence, gate
Oh pardon pardon never mind
I’ll give out a little kindness

(solo)
…

Pardon pardon never mind
There's no longer anything good or evil

I long long long to forgive
Float, disappear, at once I leave
Life is a stretch from wall to wall
From all fours down into a crawl
Deserts we no longer care to cleave
The paths I used to travel free
Have turned all mud and stone on me
Oh pardon pardon never mind
I can still bear a tiny bit of evil

The light without a shadow is the grail
I've seen a child play with its veil
I keep going don't know where
With very little time to spare
My journey leads to where I dare
Oh pardon pardon pardon
Pardon pardon pardon
Pardon pardon pardon
Pardon pardon
Never mind - -




THE ALCHEMY OF LIFE


Where do streets go
Which is mine, oh how do I know
There is not a single mark
No single light in the dark
No white rabbit or a hare

I'm not too slow
But to reap first I must sow
Streets are leading everywhere
And with them all those who dare
I just don't seem to care

What a show
Can be made of feeling low
Something I would never do
However tight may be the screw
And bloodthirsty is the hound

Sulphur's glow
At first dim, but prone to grow
Humming in each beehive
Is the alchemy of life
That will open up the ground

If Alice be thy name
And miracles your game
The world to you must look
All in all the same
Never mind their greed
It's you who sets the beat
You’ll be the first to greet
A gospel of your own belief

Multi famam conscientiam pauci verentur…

Alleluia Alleluia
– there is not a single mark
No single light in the dark
No white rabbit or a hare

Alleluia Alleluia
- streets are leading everywhere
And with them all those who dare
I just don’t seem to care

Where do streets go
And which is mine I no longer
Need to know – –




NAILS AND ROSES


Ooh - Maria - This is a dream
Ooh - Maria - I'm only all too keen
Ooh - Maria - Is judgement day real near
Ooh - Maria - Is there a way out of here
Hmm - Where did the nails come from - Who'll tell us the truth
Ooh - Maria - They'll soon be put to use

Ooh - Maria - Who's that we're up against
Ooh - Maria - No way we stand a chance
Ooh - Maria - It's the courts who deal in blame
Ooh - Maria - The picture's good and so's the frame
Hmm - It's impossible to even count our foes
Ooh - Maria - Better close in if they're close

Ooh - Maria - What if we put behind the bars
Ooh - Maria - Those in the long black shiny cars
Ooh - Maria - Would it be such a blow
Ooh - Maria - You and your eternal glow
Hmm - We are stuck here for another day or two
Ooh - Maria - With some payment always due

When I fall asleep, be it night or be it day
My dreams show me an inner way
Its landscapes full of rivers, soothing to my head
And I can ask for anything
I down here couldn't get

I take my time, my pace is but a stroll
Oh it's so beautiful, brilliant, oh Lord
In that dream I'm happy wherever I go
I may already be in heaven for all I know
So why should I go back again …

Ooh - Maria - T h i s is the real dream
Ooh - Maria - I couldn't be more keen
Who brought the nails, who dealt them - can you say
Who's kept from us the truth that tomorrow is the day
Hmm - My patience's tried in so many ways
And roses all around
Seem stuck
In grace




OF LIES AND MEN


Men of such magnitude
Are nowhere to be found
Who'd give up everything
To take me off the ground
Or to a salmon farm
The sea of turquoise
Where I would rest a bit
And tell the sweetest lies

To see his happy face
I'd serve some wine and cheese
We'd chat the night away
Sit by the fireplace
Whenever there's a raft
Catamaran, schooner
Far on the horizon's blue
While being all by myself
I never buy without a queue

Champagne and caviar
And for lunch even oysters!
But when the evening comes
We'll have to dust
The toaster
Men of such magnitude
Don't really grow on trees
But hey –
Just take a look around – –

Next, please!




STEPHAN WUNDERHORN


Into spring's arms the last snows have sunk
Up on a hill called Monk, a man riding a sledge
Quite young
And with him fate is blowing through every hedge
Why, it's Stephan Wunderhorn
In Merkendorf he lives
But god knows where he's from
Seemingly so forlorn, unknown and alone

In the valleys spring is like a picture hung
The walls are silent, windows dark
And not a dog would bark
Briefly there's laughter and it's not some drunk
Why, it's Stephan Wunderhorn
Who balances the weights
Around the town's three gates
And preaches to us hope --

Well, can't you see it?
It is here and there, around
Paradise
So sing and dance
Enjoy yourself
Isn't it nice?

And if you think that cities are just traffic lights and streets and squares
Than you are mad just like the one with pockets full who doesn't share
And another one who holds his spoils and for a bigger spoil he toils
Yeah!

Well, can't you see it?
It is here and there, around
Paradise
And so should be it
A child could tell you
Children are wise

I mean life is more than business meetings, ways to cheat and shopping malls
And cutie pies and skeletons with glasses raised and brothel calls
There's human spirit coming through so step aside tear down the walls
Yeah!

But no wave of euphoria can last for long
A shoe would come his way - now not even that
Now it's just windows closing
Deep into the quiet night --

Just like fate's on every corner painfully strung
There's an old man watching from the Pocket Gate
Perhaps a secret monk
He whispers to himself when the laughter comes:
„You must be Stephan Wunderhorn
Unknown throughout your home
You'll be initiated
For you are yours alone!“

Well, can't you see it?
It's here and there, around
Paradise
Come on and meet it
Do not convince other people
By your own cries

Who thinks he knows the way it goes with socialising in the morgue
Who orders drinks for everyone but eats their hearts out with a fork
Well would I make him happy if I told him all he does is talk
Yeah! Yeah! Yeeha!!

One day Stephan was gone
Maybe even dead
But his secret message
Remains true, however mad




NEW DAY COMING


Welcome
You thousand pairs of eyes
Here to guide me through the night
Sing some
Make the night step aside
While I fight the evil might
Not every look not every touch will heal
When the morning cheats you of your deal
So carry on, carry on crying
With your heart up for grabs
With feelings about to collapse
Few helping hands is just what I need
To help in joy and sin, to help in deed

Welcome
You thousand pairs of arms
Here to guide me through the night
I thank to you
Now I'm safe from any harm
I'll soon be taking your side
You'll seldom find someone to talk you through
What you should do when your mood changes to blue
And all you can do is carry on crying
Your heart outstretched
For toss and fetch
To have a circle made of helping hands
Is always better than the best of chance

Welcome
You thousand pairs of eyes
Seeing me through every night
Sing some
When I take a step aside
And see things without their guise
Welcome
You thousands pairs of arms
Here to guide me through the…
Sing some
There's no retreat, no alarm
As I enter
A brand new day