The Departure of Job

Get up Job

get up earlier than

a water-carrier with his clattering buckets

earlier than the nightwatchman going to bed

get up before merchants raise themselves

and spread the motley bustle of the day

get up when in silence we can hear in a stable

only the clatter of horses

Get up to be alone in the silence of His presence

Look about the earth

All still breathes with sleep

You are already old

but God loves Job

just as he is

It's good you got up so early 

because people might say you went mad

Your chin trembles with joy

and you spread your arms wide like a lover

in order to embrace earth and sky

Job 

it is worth so much suffering

to know God's love in old age

Job

you silly old codger

you laugh and cry

fall down in the grass

get up wet with dew

Job you suffered

so your heart could grow

and could contain everything

Lucky Job

I see you chatting with clouds

and with the light of dawn

I see you departing to embrace

the huge rising sun

with the shout Lord Lord

By Anna Kamieńska, translated by David Curzon, from the book Astonishments, Paraclete Press, 2008.