This World

--Czeslaw Milosz

It appears that it was all a misunderstanding.
What was only a trial run was taken seriously

The rivers will return to their beginnings.

The wind will cease in its turning about.

Trees instead of budding will tend to their roots.

Old men will chase a ball, a glance in the mirror--

They are children again.

The dead will wake up, not comprehending.

Till everything that happened has unhappended.

What a relief! Breathe freely, you who suffered much.