Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Herman Gorter

We silver beings, misty lights, plants growing

*


We silver beings, misty lights, plants growing
side by side, uncertain, wanted the light:
In fogs of darkness, our great requests
strangely in dusky fogs for light –
Gently beginning and smilingly winking,
lightly rising, refusing to fade,
confident laughter and light-happy blinking
beckoning, fleeing, looking back fleeing, fluttering lashes,
willows of light, ribbons of light, white silver
waters of light, wheedling light, vistas of shiver light,
sheaths and bayonets of light, army of light.

Our flesh blooming light, soaking light,
our hearts swelling with light, light breaking,
eyes fluffing light, crystal chandeliers.

*

*


Wij zilvren wezens, nevellichten, gewassen
neven elkaar, onzeker, wilden het licht:
In misten van donker, onze groote vragen
vreemdelinge in scheemre mist om licht -
Teeder beginnen en glimlachend blinken,
lichtkens verrijzen, weigren te versterven,
zekerlijk lachen en lichtblijde blinken,
wenken en vlieden, vliedend omziend, wimprend,
wilgen van licht, linten van licht, wit zilvren
wateren licht, fleemlicht, zichten rillicht,
scheden en bajonnetten licht, - lichtarmee.

Ons vleesch bloeiend van licht, licht slempend,
onz\' harten zwellend van licht, licht brekend,
oogen licht donzend, kristallen lichtkronen.
Close

We silver beings, misty lights, plants growing

*


We silver beings, misty lights, plants growing
side by side, uncertain, wanted the light:
In fogs of darkness, our great requests
strangely in dusky fogs for light –
Gently beginning and smilingly winking,
lightly rising, refusing to fade,
confident laughter and light-happy blinking
beckoning, fleeing, looking back fleeing, fluttering lashes,
willows of light, ribbons of light, white silver
waters of light, wheedling light, vistas of shiver light,
sheaths and bayonets of light, army of light.

Our flesh blooming light, soaking light,
our hearts swelling with light, light breaking,
eyes fluffing light, crystal chandeliers.

We silver beings, misty lights, plants growing

*


We silver beings, misty lights, plants growing
side by side, uncertain, wanted the light:
In fogs of darkness, our great requests
strangely in dusky fogs for light –
Gently beginning and smilingly winking,
lightly rising, refusing to fade,
confident laughter and light-happy blinking
beckoning, fleeing, looking back fleeing, fluttering lashes,
willows of light, ribbons of light, white silver
waters of light, wheedling light, vistas of shiver light,
sheaths and bayonets of light, army of light.

Our flesh blooming light, soaking light,
our hearts swelling with light, light breaking,
eyes fluffing light, crystal chandeliers.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère