Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

L.K. Holt

POEM FOR NINA

GEDICHT VOOR NINA

Time takes too much time! zong je toen we voortgedreven
op de wind onze haren uit onze monden trokken
 
en lucht uitademden die nog steeds vlokschuim was.
In de twee resterende grijzen van het laatste licht
 
kwam de storm aan op de rug van het koningstij;
tegen de ochtend zou de pier aan diggelen liggen.
 
Die nacht stonden we op het klampende worteleind van de pier
en holden. De golven braken over beide kanten heen
 
om speciaal voor ons een prieel van dreiging en glinster te maken;
we sprongen over losgeslagen planken die zee! zee!
 
klakten in debiele vreugde toen wij het spruiteind bereikten.
Je kneep je kruis vast in blije vrees
 
en verloor je hoed. De reling was helemaal weg:
we stonden op een presenteerblaadje, aangeboden.

POEM FOR NINA

Time takes too much time! you sang as we took
to the wind, pulling our hair from our mouths

and breathing out air still spindrift.
In the two remaining greys of last light

the storm came in on the king tide’s back;
by morning the jetty would be broken to bits.

That night we stood at the jetty’s clinging root-end
and ran. The waves broke over both sides

to make us an arbour of threat and glisten;
we jumped the loosed planks that clacked

in retarded joy sea! sea! as we reached the sprig-end.
You clutched your crotch in happy fear

and lost your hat. The railings were all gone:
we were standing on a platter, offered up.
Close

POEM FOR NINA

Time takes too much time! you sang as we took
to the wind, pulling our hair from our mouths

and breathing out air still spindrift.
In the two remaining greys of last light

the storm came in on the king tide’s back;
by morning the jetty would be broken to bits.

That night we stood at the jetty’s clinging root-end
and ran. The waves broke over both sides

to make us an arbour of threat and glisten;
we jumped the loosed planks that clacked

in retarded joy sea! sea! as we reached the sprig-end.
You clutched your crotch in happy fear

and lost your hat. The railings were all gone:
we were standing on a platter, offered up.

POEM FOR NINA

Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère