Resurrection

“Resurrection” is powerful to me in that it depicts a man who is torn between two worlds.  On one hand Holan wants to be with G-d, but on the other-he is still very much tied to this world and the people he loves in it-for instance, his mother.  I also like how he chooses to live eternity as a child needing his mother’s care and attention–as it shows he values innocence.

Resurrection

Is it true that after this life of ours we shall one day be awakened by a terrifying clamour of trumpets?

Forgive me, God, but I console myself

that the beginning and resurrection of all of us dead

will simply be announced by the crowing of the cock.

 

After that we’ll remain lying down a while…

The first to get up

will be Mother…We’ll hear her

quietly laying the fire,

quietly putting the kettle on the stove

and cosily taking the teapot out of the cupboard.

We’ll be home once more.

by Vladmir Holan

translated from the Czech by George Theiner