Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Anneke Brassinga

ELEMENTA

If every instant’s an obscure beginning
of aftermath that only after centuries
will shed light upon this now –

the known words are but stellar glimmerings
arriving breathless, far too late.
What does that leave us to talk about?

Only the water’s enticing murmuration
in strictured present tense, no rope
to tag onto; least of all

at the raging moment of your being blown
to foam in a continuously falling
continuously once more rising gale.

ELEMENTA

ELEMENTA

Als ieder ogenblik een ongekend begin is
van nasleep die pas over eeuwen
licht zal werpen op dit nu –

zijn de bekende woorden sterrenschijnsel,
amechtig arriverend, veel te laat.
Waar kunnen we dan nog over praten?

Alleen de lokstem van het water zwatelt
in strikt hedendaagse taal, geen touw
aan vast te knopen; zeker niet

op het razende tijdstip van je verschuimen
in een onophoudelijk liggen gaande
onophoudelijk weer opstekende storm.
 
Close

ELEMENTA

If every instant’s an obscure beginning
of aftermath that only after centuries
will shed light upon this now –

the known words are but stellar glimmerings
arriving breathless, far too late.
What does that leave us to talk about?

Only the water’s enticing murmuration
in strictured present tense, no rope
to tag onto; least of all

at the raging moment of your being blown
to foam in a continuously falling
continuously once more rising gale.

ELEMENTA

If every instant’s an obscure beginning
of aftermath that only after centuries
will shed light upon this now –

the known words are but stellar glimmerings
arriving breathless, far too late.
What does that leave us to talk about?

Only the water’s enticing murmuration
in strictured present tense, no rope
to tag onto; least of all

at the raging moment of your being blown
to foam in a continuously falling
continuously once more rising gale.
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