Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Alfred Schaffer

SHAKA’S BRIEF FLIRTATION WITH ROMANCE

One day he appeared at her door like an apparition.
It must have been his first and last attempt.
Bunch of flowers in his hand, some roses and chrysanths
clean smoke blowing out of the smoke machine behind him
and the universe dangling on ropes
consciously apolitical and shining.
It had cost a pretty penny, some serious logistics
and bloodshed, but his anticipatory pleasure
set its sights on the spectacle in her bed.
If anyone had tried to pull one over on him
at that moment, he would have stood his ground.
Knocked and then again and then again.
After some discussion it turned out
he was at the wrong house!
Laughing in disbelief, locals slid
down from the trees, windows were closed again
even the ladies from the drum band made an about turn.
He was led off silently
a decrepit barge in an immense canal
and people forgot about the whole business so that it
would never happen again. 

SJAKA’S KORTE FLIRT MET ROMANTIEK

SJAKA’S KORTE FLIRT MET ROMANTIEK

Op een dag verscheen hij als verschijning aan haar deur.
Het moet zijn eerste en zijn laatste poging zijn geweest.
Bosje bloemen in de hand, wat rozen en chrysanten
schone rook blies uit de rookmachine achter hem
en bungelend aan touwen het heelal
bewust apolitiek en stralend.
Het had een cent gekost en flink wat logistiek
en bloedvergieten, maar zijn voorpret
richtte het vizier op het spektakel in haar bed.
Had men hem wat dan ook geflikt
op dat moment, standvastig was hij blijven staan.
Klopte aan en nog een keer en nog maar eens.
Wat bleek na enig overleg
hij stond voor het verkeerde huis!
Onderdanen gleden lacherig en ongelovig
uit de bomen, ramen werden weer gesloten
ook de dames van de drumband maakten rechtsomkeert.
Geruisloos werd hij weggeleid
een afgeleefde aak in een immens kanaal
en men vergat die hele zaak opdat dit nooit
en nooit weer zou gebeuren. 
Close

SHAKA’S BRIEF FLIRTATION WITH ROMANCE

One day he appeared at her door like an apparition.
It must have been his first and last attempt.
Bunch of flowers in his hand, some roses and chrysanths
clean smoke blowing out of the smoke machine behind him
and the universe dangling on ropes
consciously apolitical and shining.
It had cost a pretty penny, some serious logistics
and bloodshed, but his anticipatory pleasure
set its sights on the spectacle in her bed.
If anyone had tried to pull one over on him
at that moment, he would have stood his ground.
Knocked and then again and then again.
After some discussion it turned out
he was at the wrong house!
Laughing in disbelief, locals slid
down from the trees, windows were closed again
even the ladies from the drum band made an about turn.
He was led off silently
a decrepit barge in an immense canal
and people forgot about the whole business so that it
would never happen again. 

SHAKA’S BRIEF FLIRTATION WITH ROMANCE

One day he appeared at her door like an apparition.
It must have been his first and last attempt.
Bunch of flowers in his hand, some roses and chrysanths
clean smoke blowing out of the smoke machine behind him
and the universe dangling on ropes
consciously apolitical and shining.
It had cost a pretty penny, some serious logistics
and bloodshed, but his anticipatory pleasure
set its sights on the spectacle in her bed.
If anyone had tried to pull one over on him
at that moment, he would have stood his ground.
Knocked and then again and then again.
After some discussion it turned out
he was at the wrong house!
Laughing in disbelief, locals slid
down from the trees, windows were closed again
even the ladies from the drum band made an about turn.
He was led off silently
a decrepit barge in an immense canal
and people forgot about the whole business so that it
would never happen again. 
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