Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

J. Slauerhoff

Don’t brood on things that are over and done,

Don’t brood on things that are over and done,
Thoughts of the past bring sorrow and pain.
Don’t brood on things that are still to come,
Thoughts of the future bring upset and care.
In daytime flop like a sack in your chair.
At night lie there like a stone in your bed.
Open your mouth to take in your food.
If sleep assails you, close your eyes.


                    (Po Chu I)

Houd je gedachten af van gedane dingen,

Houd je gedachten af van gedane dingen,
Denken aan ’t verleden geeft verdriet en leed.
Houd je gedachten af van komend gebeuren,
Denken aan de toekomst geeft onrust en zorg.
Zit overdag als een zak in je stoel.
Lig des nachts als een steen in je bed.
Open je mond om voedsel te nemen.
Als je slaaprig wordt, doe dan je oogen dicht.


                    (Po Tsju I)
Close

Don’t brood on things that are over and done,

Don’t brood on things that are over and done,
Thoughts of the past bring sorrow and pain.
Don’t brood on things that are still to come,
Thoughts of the future bring upset and care.
In daytime flop like a sack in your chair.
At night lie there like a stone in your bed.
Open your mouth to take in your food.
If sleep assails you, close your eyes.


                    (Po Chu I)

Don’t brood on things that are over and done,

Don’t brood on things that are over and done,
Thoughts of the past bring sorrow and pain.
Don’t brood on things that are still to come,
Thoughts of the future bring upset and care.
In daytime flop like a sack in your chair.
At night lie there like a stone in your bed.
Open your mouth to take in your food.
If sleep assails you, close your eyes.


                    (Po Chu I)
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