Ivan Dobnik - Vilenica

Parables of Earthly Kingdom
Earthly kingdom is like a traveller
on a long dusty road
winding into the unknown.
He stops, turns around & says:
this is where the road ends.
Earthly kingdom is like a sower
scattering seeds
& tells them: grow.
& the seeds sprout
& become mouldy.
Earthly kingdom is like a sea
that seems bottomless.
At the bottom
is hidden a mirror.
Earthly kingdom is like a maiden
whom her mother tells:
you’re too fair
for my wisdom
& her father says:
you’re too ugly
for my desire.
& she leaves
through the window
for the unknown.
Earthly kingdom is like a gaze of the betrayed
meeting the eye of the traitor
to tell him:
I know there was
no other way.
Earthly kingdom is like a candle
lighting up in the dusk.
No one has poured it,
no one can see it
when it goes out.
Gorazd Kocijančič · 151