Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Stefan Hertmans

THE BOWLS

She the fruit, he the beast.
He keeps the liver separate,
Because blood spills from the entrails.
Hunters know that, as do lions.
 
He has the bowls and basins ready,
And sharp knives for angels
Who won’t be any help.
 
Everything can clot and
Suddenly flow again,
Stand still or move,
As the tendons in his flesh
 
Never cease to tremble
While his heart, cellar-deep,
Can cave in any moment.

De kommen

De kommen

Zij de vruchten, hij het beest.
De lever houdt hij nog apart,
Want ingewanden geven bloed.
Dat weten jagers en de leeuw.

Teiltjes en kommen heeft hij al,
En scherpe messen voor engelen
Die niet zullen helpen.

Alles kan stollen en
Opeens gaan vloeien,
Stilstaan of bewegen,
Zoals de pezen in zijn vlees

Niet ophouden met beven
Terwijl zijn hart, zo kelderdiep,
Het elk ogenblik kan begeven.
Close

THE BOWLS

She the fruit, he the beast.
He keeps the liver separate,
Because blood spills from the entrails.
Hunters know that, as do lions.
 
He has the bowls and basins ready,
And sharp knives for angels
Who won’t be any help.
 
Everything can clot and
Suddenly flow again,
Stand still or move,
As the tendons in his flesh
 
Never cease to tremble
While his heart, cellar-deep,
Can cave in any moment.

THE BOWLS

She the fruit, he the beast.
He keeps the liver separate,
Because blood spills from the entrails.
Hunters know that, as do lions.
 
He has the bowls and basins ready,
And sharp knives for angels
Who won’t be any help.
 
Everything can clot and
Suddenly flow again,
Stand still or move,
As the tendons in his flesh
 
Never cease to tremble
While his heart, cellar-deep,
Can cave in any moment.
Sponsors
Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Ludo Pieters Gastschrijver Fonds
Lira fonds
Partners
LantarenVenster – Verhalenhuis Belvédère