Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Remco Campert

Scale Model

The sun always shines brightly
on the square with public housing
shopping plaza neighbourhood centre a fun cafe
the grass freshly trimmed like the people
eternally young families
in the built-up zone an architect’s dream
where the future is secured

but this century can no longer be invented
how often have I heard
the roar of new housing collapsing
present and future are definitely done for
goodbye all certainties
we’ll live in makeshift abodes
when you’re here I’m there
and we’ll greet each other in passing
with American niceties

Maquette

Maquette

Altijd schijnt stralend de zon
op het plein met sociale woningbouw
winkelcentrum buurthuis leuk cafétje
het groen is er vers geknipt evenals de mensen
die eeuwig jong gezin zijn
in de bebouwde kom van de architectendroom
waar de toekomst is vastgezet

maar deze eeuw valt niet meer te bedenken
tijden al dat ik hoor
het geraas van instortende nieuwbouw
heden en toekomst zijn definitief gekraakt
met zekerheden is het afgelopen
we zullen wonen in voorlopige oorden
ben jij hier dan ben ik daar
en we zullen elkaar begroeten
met de beleefdheid van Amerikanen
Close

Scale Model

The sun always shines brightly
on the square with public housing
shopping plaza neighbourhood centre a fun cafe
the grass freshly trimmed like the people
eternally young families
in the built-up zone an architect’s dream
where the future is secured

but this century can no longer be invented
how often have I heard
the roar of new housing collapsing
present and future are definitely done for
goodbye all certainties
we’ll live in makeshift abodes
when you’re here I’m there
and we’ll greet each other in passing
with American niceties

Scale Model

The sun always shines brightly
on the square with public housing
shopping plaza neighbourhood centre a fun cafe
the grass freshly trimmed like the people
eternally young families
in the built-up zone an architect’s dream
where the future is secured

but this century can no longer be invented
how often have I heard
the roar of new housing collapsing
present and future are definitely done for
goodbye all certainties
we’ll live in makeshift abodes
when you’re here I’m there
and we’ll greet each other in passing
with American niceties
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
Lira fonds
Versopolis
J.E. Jurriaanse
Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
Veerhuis
VDM
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère