Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Jan Baeke

A MOMENT OF CHARM

See how I talk to you between two flashes.
Flesh under the dresses
downy bumble bees buzzing past.
For our bodies this summer is much too hot.

Of course the moon, madam
and all those other phenomena
a silhouette in which one can imagine
hands and thighs. Is it your daughter? I love her.

I’m conscious of this particular time.
We can expect difficult days with the family.
The shadows cast on you and yours are not too bad
although so many people are struggling in these rainy days

in the middle of summer
but how are health and business matters?
It would be good to greet the most attractive among you.
I like to do that when I get the opportunity.

I’ve never been able to accept the idea
that our thinking is a wholly abstract affair.
Touching you is the convincing proof
that my imagination takes a real shape.

EEN MOMENT VAN CHARME

EEN MOMENT VAN CHARME

Kijk hoe ik met u praat tussen twee flitsen door.
Vlees onder de jurken
hommels die donzig voorbij zoemen.
Het is voor een lichaam veel te warm deze zomer.

Uiteraard de maan mevrouw
en al die andere verschijnselen
een silhouet waarin men handen en dijen
mag denken. Is het uw dochter? Ik hou van haar.

Ik ben me bewust van deze tijd.
Er zijn moeilijke dagen met de familie te verwachten.
De schaduwen over de uwen vallen navenant mee
al gaat het zovelen zo moeilijk op regenachtige dagen

in het midden van de zomer
maar alles met de gezondheid en de zaken?
Het zou goed zijn de mooisten onder u te groeten.
Ik mag dat bij gelegenheid graag doen.

Ik heb me nooit neer kunnen leggen bij de gedachte
dat het denken alleen uit abstractie bestaat.
U daarbij aanraken is het overtuigende bewijs
dat mijn fantasie werkelijke vormen aanneemt.
Close

A MOMENT OF CHARM

See how I talk to you between two flashes.
Flesh under the dresses
downy bumble bees buzzing past.
For our bodies this summer is much too hot.

Of course the moon, madam
and all those other phenomena
a silhouette in which one can imagine
hands and thighs. Is it your daughter? I love her.

I’m conscious of this particular time.
We can expect difficult days with the family.
The shadows cast on you and yours are not too bad
although so many people are struggling in these rainy days

in the middle of summer
but how are health and business matters?
It would be good to greet the most attractive among you.
I like to do that when I get the opportunity.

I’ve never been able to accept the idea
that our thinking is a wholly abstract affair.
Touching you is the convincing proof
that my imagination takes a real shape.

A MOMENT OF CHARM

See how I talk to you between two flashes.
Flesh under the dresses
downy bumble bees buzzing past.
For our bodies this summer is much too hot.

Of course the moon, madam
and all those other phenomena
a silhouette in which one can imagine
hands and thighs. Is it your daughter? I love her.

I’m conscious of this particular time.
We can expect difficult days with the family.
The shadows cast on you and yours are not too bad
although so many people are struggling in these rainy days

in the middle of summer
but how are health and business matters?
It would be good to greet the most attractive among you.
I like to do that when I get the opportunity.

I’ve never been able to accept the idea
that our thinking is a wholly abstract affair.
Touching you is the convincing proof
that my imagination takes a real shape.
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