Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Albertina Soepboer

DECEMBER IS THE COOLEST MONTH

Never before had the moon been freezing cold.
I bought a pair of royal-blue mittens for him.

Our first day he played Satie. Pure happiness,
a windowsill, ten fingers flying through space.

Hands darted over ebony and ivory, glinted off
ice crystals. The tone not just set but made.

The way we stood there, later, by the window.
White, winter music we were, and warm too.

DECEMBER IS THE COOLEST MONTH

DECEMBER IS THE COOLEST MONTH

Net earder hie de moanne roetkâld west.
Foar him kocht ik keningsblauwe moffen.

Us earste dei spile er Satie. Lok wie it,
in finsterbank, tsien fingers yn ’e romte.

Hannen fleagen oer houtdonker en ivoar,
wjerljochten op iiskristal. De toan ûntstie.

Sa’t wy dêr doe letter foar it rút stienen.
Wyt, wintermuzyk wienen wy, waarm ek.
Close

DECEMBER IS THE COOLEST MONTH

Never before had the moon been freezing cold.
I bought a pair of royal-blue mittens for him.

Our first day he played Satie. Pure happiness,
a windowsill, ten fingers flying through space.

Hands darted over ebony and ivory, glinted off
ice crystals. The tone not just set but made.

The way we stood there, later, by the window.
White, winter music we were, and warm too.

DECEMBER IS THE COOLEST MONTH

Never before had the moon been freezing cold.
I bought a pair of royal-blue mittens for him.

Our first day he played Satie. Pure happiness,
a windowsill, ten fingers flying through space.

Hands darted over ebony and ivory, glinted off
ice crystals. The tone not just set but made.

The way we stood there, later, by the window.
White, winter music we were, and warm too.
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Gemeente Rotterdam
Nederlands Letterenfonds
Stichting Van Beuningen Peterich-fonds
Prins Bernhard cultuurfonds
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Versopolis
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Gefinancierd door de Europese Unie
Elise Mathilde Fonds
Stichting Verzameling van Wijngaarden-Boot
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VDM
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