Morning Bell

Iman Mersal

A poster of a mosaic artwork by Marcel Dzama depicts six people in blue dresses with white shapes dancing and sitting cross-legged; two black cats and one orange cat are also pictured sitting. The poem, Morning Bell by Iman Mersal, translated by Robyn Creswell, is featured in white text.

Morning Bell

The eye opens like a curtain rising
In the dark, feet search for something real
Consciousness hasn’t happened yet
And the floorboards are skin temperature
A fresh repetition, today will be one more or one less
An impromptu concert strikes up in the kitchen
Maybe this black coffee is the morning bell—
the prize you win for returning safe from sleep.

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