Poem
Gerry van der Linden
Forwards!
I choosemy fearsome face
while
riding my bike
through narrow strips of streets
where freight stands stacked
the docker takes his time
the automobile strains its wheel
against the current called time
I show
the back of my legs
the tip of my coat
to errant americans
day-trippers one-weekers death-seekers
citizens from without canalside dwellers
I trounce
the last ounce from my wheel
take aim
take aim
forwards!
© Translation: 2004, John Irons
From: The Low Countries Yearbook no 12
Publisher: St. Ons Erfdeel, Rekkem, 2004
From: The Low Countries Yearbook no 12
Publisher: St. Ons Erfdeel, Rekkem, 2004
Voorwaarts!
Voorwaarts!
Ik kiesmijn grimmige gezicht
terwijl
ik de fiets rijd
door nauwe stukken straat
waar vrachten staan gestapeld
de sjouwer zijn tijd neemt
het automobiel wrikt zijn wiel
tegen de stroom die tijd heet
ik toon
mijn achterste benen
de punt in mijn jas
voor dolende amerikanen
dagbraaiers doordraaiers doodzoekers
burgers van buiten bewoners aan grachten
ik haal
de krachten uit mijn wiel
stuur aan
stuur aan
voorwaarts!
© 1979, Gerry van der Linden
From: De aantekening
Publisher: De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam
From: De aantekening
Publisher: De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam
Poems
Poems of Gerry van der Linden
Close
Forwards!
I choosemy fearsome face
while
riding my bike
through narrow strips of streets
where freight stands stacked
the docker takes his time
the automobile strains its wheel
against the current called time
I show
the back of my legs
the tip of my coat
to errant americans
day-trippers one-weekers death-seekers
citizens from without canalside dwellers
I trounce
the last ounce from my wheel
take aim
take aim
forwards!
© 2004, John Irons
From: The Low Countries Yearbook no 12
Publisher: 2004, St. Ons Erfdeel, Rekkem
From: The Low Countries Yearbook no 12
Publisher: 2004, St. Ons Erfdeel, Rekkem
Forwards!
I choosemy fearsome face
while
riding my bike
through narrow strips of streets
where freight stands stacked
the docker takes his time
the automobile strains its wheel
against the current called time
I show
the back of my legs
the tip of my coat
to errant americans
day-trippers one-weekers death-seekers
citizens from without canalside dwellers
I trounce
the last ounce from my wheel
take aim
take aim
forwards!
© 2004, John Irons
From: The Low Countries Yearbook no 12
Publisher: 2004, St. Ons Erfdeel, Rekkem
From: The Low Countries Yearbook no 12
Publisher: 2004, St. Ons Erfdeel, Rekkem
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