Mr. Nothing watched the poet tinkering with a typewriter and Platocrates weighing white and black pebbles in his hands while looking thoughtfully at a large clay jar standing in front ... continue reading
Author: Maciej Modzelewski
You were carrying the cup
The poet came to the conclusion that he lacked a good biography. He was not a war hero, not even a child of war. ... continue reading
Deceptive meadow
The poet would likely find better words, but Mr. Nothing only ventured to repeat after a song, as tormented by the myriads ... continue reading
A fallen eyelash
A glass of water at Old Blackfriars caught Mr. Nothing's thoughts, while the poet's playful banter charmed a jasmine gaze on the other side of the table. It was the taste of the water, somewhat salty with some sip, ... continue reading
As real as an act
Like all great inventions, love is an act of fiction. And while you may tend to focus on the “fiction” part, I would suggest paying ... continue reading
Untouchably close
They sat next to each other. He tried to rewrite her name in his untrained jiǎntǐzì. She amusedly tilted her head at the sound of his tongue twisters. Their doors were closed, ... continue reading
For the poem’s sake
“Nobody reads poetry these days.” Mr. Nothing shifted a questioning glance from the pages of Britannia Depicta ... continue reading
A reflection
One sunny afternoon, the poet expressed some concern that there was nothing in his life but a popularity contest. And then Platocrates burst out laughing, although it was ... continue reading
Who knows
A genius or a madman, the poet really knew how to touch a nerve at times. Even the simple-minded Platocrates, in the depths of despair, on occasion insisted that there was a reason why poets, although treated with respect, ... continue reading
Facing the fool
Nobody listens to Platocrates in Castlegate any more. Even the seagulls were more interested in the scraps of bread than in his tortuous arguments. The thing is, nowadays, the agora has moved into different realms, ... continue reading
Always trying
He had always wanted to be able to play the piano or the violin, for that matter, but at this point, Mr. Nothing, although reluctantly, admitted that he could actually be ... continue reading
A stroller
Mr. Nothing knew many things, but nothing of much importance. On warm afternoons, on his way to a walk along the promenade, he liked to stop at Castlegate and listen to the old drunk Platocrates ... continue reading
Alter egos
Mr. Nothing looked at the man he had become, the man he had once wanted to be, and the man he had a chance to grow up into, ... continue reading
A bookworm
It was a beautiful winter morning, so I finally decided to go for a walk. I changed, washed my teeth, polished my shoes, checked all the socket switches and water taps, and, making sure everything was fine, left. ... continue reading
Undefined
I never really knew what was expected as me, what part I was supposed to play, and there was always something rough ... continue reading
In case of fire
Rain is just water. It does not hurt to watch the drops trickle down the glass. I still remember when, out of disposable moments, ... continue reading
A resolution
So, here we are, another year, another pile of unfulfillable goals and wishful thinking. But this time, ... continue reading
The source of footnotes by my bed
I always have a book on my bedside table. The same book, ... continue reading
The penultimate day
As eleven degrees Celsius attracts awakened flies and anti-vaccine rallies, the crowded promenade, filled with the barking of dogs and the cries of gulls ... continue reading
You who enter here
So you finally made it through the winter's allegro non molto. Now, lying on the shore of the Channel ... continue reading
Legends
A little girl watched an armada of biremes hurtling to the north-east with the Lacedaemonian army and their proud king, her father. ... continue reading
All that matters
The winners write history textbooks, the others cover plain fields. There is nothing revealing about it. One could say, a simple fact of life. And it worked out just fine for millennia. At least for the winners. ... continue reading
well then?
i should have just stayed invisible. with a body that hurts in so many ways, my voice finally leaked all over the bed ... continue reading
the heelot’s prey
i was a teen when i first heard the colonel mention them, the heelots, that they had got a stranglehold on me, and filled with dread, i added, before i was even born. ... continue reading
a lesson in logic
if the dumbest of creatures are always the happiest, then my miserable disposition inevitably leads to the conclusion that i must be particularly bright, ... continue reading
the good book
there is something appalling about the idea of a secular bible, as if we were that poor relative from the provinces, skilfully imitating metropolitan customs yet somehow not quite right. ... continue reading
a brew
i must be alive, since i am writing this stanza after i walked you home and said goodnight, even though it was morning. i must be alive. ... continue reading
a napkin
as charming as he may be, a poet is not a husband-material, because sooner or later he will turn your life into a cadence of words scattered randomly across the page. so you better ... continue reading
a jolly picture
the shadows belong to the nooks and crannies, so when one dares to step out into the brightness without a veil of delight, one will get slapped ... continue reading
only twenty years late
should we embrace the word finally or just allow ourselves one more moment of self-pity? when there is not much left ... continue reading
the missed vigil supper
there were supposed to be twelve traditional dishes and carols for a family celebration, but why bother with all that when there is no family to celebrate? ... continue reading
in faery lands forlorn
cast adrift in provisional scenery, like sleepwalkers, we move along the grooves of a vinyl record ... continue reading
and join the chorus
i do not like christmas carols in december. i really like them in july, when it confuses people ... continue reading
a forsaken word dweller
my name is not important, but if you would like to hear it, listen to the rain in december. my age does not matter, but if you must know how old i am, look at the granite road paving remains at the gallowgate, ... continue reading
the pillar of shame
i still remember when my father brought home our first vhs player. it was a rarity in communist poland. ... continue reading
otherwise-wise
sometimes it crosses my mind that i have probably had exorbitant expectations. otherwise, what a problem it was to find someone ... continue reading
laughing hysterically to get noticed
when i read the diary of my favourite thinker in english, knowing the polish original, i was a bit disappointed. on the other hand, ... continue reading
you were the only person i knew
i think we should buy a copy of casablanca or maybe when harry met sally would suffice (oh my goodness, i love that pecan pie!, ... continue reading
a little more to live
i guess i just like to sound a little melodramatic as while nibbling a carrot, ... continue reading
the poet’s life
what does it mean if, when your ex uses you, your daughter does not even acknowledge your existence, and you fall for your friend ... continue reading
a word of sudden hope
it was four shillings' worth of words, moved gently once across millennia and given with a thoughtful line to soothe the nights of chilling blackouts. i found it hidden on a shelf ... continue reading
the one we missed
tell me, whose fault was it that we tried to escape the autumn scent, naively believing in the linden blossoms collected that summer? you taught me to follow your inattentive gaze into shady alleys. ... continue reading
as time goes by
it was supposed to be magic, except that she had never heard of as time goes by, and magic has been in short supply lately. so, as i walked her home, i let myself draw an imaginary line ... continue reading
all is calm, all is bright
a homeless couple hidden from the rain under the mercat cross play carols on flutes to remind strangers what a decent life is, ... continue reading
to the brothers anti-vaxxers
i am feverish, so i might rave… kidding, these are just mild flu symptoms. but my arm hurts ... continue reading
all i need
the last piece of flatbread ruthlessly reminds me of all the insatiabilities i scrupulously note down every time i check the pantry cabinet, the fridge, ... continue reading
i did say yes back then
politics is for grown-ups, not for a poor poetaster immersed in the juvenile world of mr. magorium's wonder emporium, who is fairly disappointed that he cannot breath in and out ... continue reading
enjoy your wedding!
a woman in a wedding dress expects anything but disappointment. and she should, because, frankly speaking, otherwise, what is the point? ... continue reading
all is vanity
today i learned a new expression: the bureaucracy of death. i heard it from the custodian of peace of mind, ... continue reading
elusive reasons for concern
as i slowly begin to forget the names of people and places, and the titles of once-favourite songs say less and less, the evening nap suddenly becomes ... continue reading
it was just another task
when i was half my age, i saw a dead body directly in front of my face, lying on the hood of a van. it was a driver who was thrown out ... continue reading
the motivations behind
if i were writing about the indigenous peoples of america, canada, and australia being second-class citizens in their ancestral lands; or if i were writing about palestinians ... continue reading
but life goes on as usual
nights with the prince of cool, dim street lights outside the window, a glass of water enough to accidentally blur a crooked handwritten note ... continue reading
the definition of a home
back at home… a phrase that, even after over a year, i still feel uneasy saying. and i am not bothered by the penny plain furnishings, as long as the bookshelves ... continue reading
true desires
i am not looking for a woman to die for, but one that i would like to live for. i could take her to the lake, ... continue reading
to be a man
i am a man. but what does it mean? to be clear, it is not about my flat chest and what is in my pants. it is not even ... continue reading
the moment before i get up
it is five in the morning and my maltese friend just woke me up to let me know how much he appreciates my stanzas. i am cold. the temperature dropped below zero, so i moved my mattress ... continue reading
lost on the run
i do not remember if i was young for long, if i had a teddy bear, or if i was afraid of the monsters under the bed. ... continue reading
a shrug or whatever it is
people find me funny when i am angry because i am angry, although usually just sad and otherwise unremarkable. ... continue reading
the symbols of fear
many years have passed since i learned the greek alphabet. the first cause was, as always, the blind bard from ionia, followed by the three tragedians and the father of comedy. ... continue reading
farewell
lapped with gusts of wind, the longing sound of violins sinks into the rapids of pavement, flooding the rainy day with pachelbel’s canon. ... continue reading
inappropriate questions
every time i die, word by word, breaking through the stanzas, i reveal my anointed embarrassment resting on the paper catafalque. every little slip, ... continue reading
the toll of the night
you do not have to be particularly unhappy; sometimes all you need is to not be happy enough. then you get your gaiety booster ... continue reading
falling leaves caress shadows
maybe i listened to too much dylan and read too many romantic poets, but who could blame me for feeling disappointed when, while searching for the path ... continue reading
the abrupt finality of the present
my watch stopped a long time ago. at first, i thought it only paused for a moment. but after a while, ... continue reading
simply fortuitous
i try to understand her whisper through the sound of the violin, while someone in the background ... continue reading
the first step to regain purity
you learnt how to say forever, even though it was just for a moment. you sought certainty as if on bail ... continue reading
the american dream
it was amusing to make fun of paying some of the highest prices in the world for poor quality basic necessities, ... continue reading
a bitter man
i have always been a fruit connoisseur and never missed the slightest opportunity to get acquainted with the taste and texture of the unknown. not once. ... continue reading
in pursuit of the reason
i get it; it is more noble to be a widow than a divorcee, and with my broken heart, there is hope. plus, there is also my life ... continue reading
a matter of taste
interesting word, solitude. not quite loneliness, yet already at a distance. a lot of time to learn origami, or collect linguistic bygones, and practise ... continue reading
the fisherman’s daughter (iii)
my father was a fisherman, and you know what that means. no, i do not mean fish for a meal three times a day all week round, ... continue reading
the animal of my body
i fart. yes, i do. but why would i mention this? because nobody does. it is one of those things covered in embarrassed silence, as if we were ... continue reading
the error of my ways
i still have a few books to read, a few works to see, and a few miles to walk. ... continue reading
the fisherman’s daughter (ii)
if you asked me what i wanted for breakfast, i would say a rou an’ a cuppa tea, just like your father used to be (i have heard ... continue reading
the fisherman’s daughter
she appeared out of nowhere in front of my eyes. i watched in disbelief as she, wrapped in a bath towel, vigorously walked down the stone ramp to the beach. ... continue reading
perfectly staged spontaneity
when confronted with the quotidian predicament of a finely forced awakening while still half asleep, i blindly hit the space next to my bed, attempting ... continue reading
long words
it all started when, beyond the essential yes and no, you learned the word perhaps. ... continue reading
a paper man
if you had asked me if i ever spoke in country lyrics, i would have denied it, proudly pointing to the legacy of pindar ... continue reading
imperceptible shades of a drop
what is your name? and why do i get the feeling that you are hiding it in the colour ... continue reading
a wanderer
i wear my past as if it were my heritage. a little tight, worn here and there, tailored to the old fashion, allows me to recognise ... continue reading
what is left is to be a spelling bee
do you remember that scene from tootsie where michael approaches julie at the party with a pick-up line she previously told him ... continue reading
a lost voice
will wuhan find its thucydides or lima its camus? or perhaps a new boccaccio was born somewhere in kolkata or mumbai? because for now, the wind ... continue reading
it is just a rhyme, is it not?
the old adage says that a picture is worth a thousand words, and it is hard to argue with that ... continue reading
the fulcrum
i swapped my fountain pen for a pencil because it never really lets you down, regardless of all the imperfections ... continue reading
a rhetorical question
the concept of small talk is something that has always bewildered me. intuition tells me that it is the inability to face ... continue reading
appearances
i once said i love you and i actually meant it, but i guess in the end, it is not what you say, it is what the expectations are. you can curse, ... continue reading
a gift
i try to remember my name, matityahu, a gift from yahweh, whose existence i do not believe, just to be clear. ... continue reading
the details of the past future
i choose to remember only the details, like the french crystal pendalogues of the chandelier in your father’s study ... continue reading
asymptomatic
some mark the passage of time with birthdays, others with summer holidays or hogmanays. for me, every year, such a marker is a letter ... continue reading
for now, it is enough
do you remember that moment you were waiting for, the one where all that was left was small talk? of course not. you never expected that it could ever happen to you, ... continue reading
before we go
appreciation for a bowl of porridge comes with time. but first, you will learn to cherish all the little stories of your childhood that your parents unintentionally ... continue reading
the paths of glory
i am nothing but a link in the reproduction chain, and still a snob reading elegy ... continue reading
a cut-off phrase might be a sentence
i am still the first draft of a person, not exactly a catch, a puny little jest rather than a strong punchline. ... continue reading
a mournful thought on the occasion of halloween
the first shadow was cast by the doctor of the church. then there was a bishop and two dominicans opposing the sceptical ... continue reading
the insatiable craving for meaning
there are two corpses resting on my kitchen window sill. far apart, the left one belongs ... continue reading
rules of engagement
it is not what she says, it is how she says it. it is not what he hears, ... continue reading
the wound in the scrutinised reality
cutting my lips with the sharp edges of the skin of a piece of honey melon somehow escapes my attention as, ... continue reading
a matter of time
you said i was just like you, only smarter. but believe me, i am not smarter. i am just ... continue reading
a game of collective responsibility
it turns out i am a sexual predator. apparently, i enjoy slipping drugs or extra shots of alcohol into a glass that belongs to a woman in a pub ... continue reading
hidden pilcrow 