Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Doina Ioanid

10. Oh, the bellies we’re shut in

Oh, the bellies we’re shut in, the bellies we’re locking ourselves in, the bellies we bite into and the ones that devour us. The bellies that change into drums, though their song goes forever unlistened to. The empty bellies and the full ones, the ones unwanted and the ones beloved. The sweating bellies, stuck together in the mating, the bellies we do not exist without, the bellies wherein all descends. The God-given bellies, the tummies, the pouches, the pot bellies, the paunches. Oh, let someone tear up all these bellies . . .

10. Oh, the bellies we’re shut in

Ach, de buiken waarin we opgesloten zitten, waarin we onszelf opsluiten, de buiken waarin we bijten en de buiken die ons verslinden. De buiken die trommels worden, maar wier lied we nooit beluisteren. De lege en de volle buiken, de ongewenste en de geliefde buiken. De zweterige buiken die in omstrengeling aan elkaar kleven, de buiken zonder welke we niet bestaan, de buiken waarin alles afdaalt. De door God gegeven buiken, kleine buiken, kluwenbuiken, clownsbuiken, klauwbuiken. Ach, laat iemand al die buiken verscheuren!

Ah, burţile în care stăm închişi, în care ne închidem singuri, burţile din care muşcăm şi cele care ne devoră. Burţile care devin tobă, dar al cărei cîntec nu-l ascultăm niciodată. Burţile goale şi cele pline, cele nedorite şi cele iubite. Burţile transpirate, lipite în împreunare, burţile fără de care nu sîntem, burţile în care totul coboară. Burţile lăsate de Dumnezeu, burticile, burtoaiele, burdihanele, borţoaiele. Ah, să sfîşie cineva toate aceste burţi!
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10. Oh, the bellies we’re shut in

Oh, the bellies we’re shut in, the bellies we’re locking ourselves in, the bellies we bite into and the ones that devour us. The bellies that change into drums, though their song goes forever unlistened to. The empty bellies and the full ones, the ones unwanted and the ones beloved. The sweating bellies, stuck together in the mating, the bellies we do not exist without, the bellies wherein all descends. The God-given bellies, the tummies, the pouches, the pot bellies, the paunches. Oh, let someone tear up all these bellies . . .

10. Oh, the bellies we’re shut in

Oh, the bellies we’re shut in, the bellies we’re locking ourselves in, the bellies we bite into and the ones that devour us. The bellies that change into drums, though their song goes forever unlistened to. The empty bellies and the full ones, the ones unwanted and the ones beloved. The sweating bellies, stuck together in the mating, the bellies we do not exist without, the bellies wherein all descends. The God-given bellies, the tummies, the pouches, the pot bellies, the paunches. Oh, let someone tear up all these bellies . . .
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