Poem
Alfred Schaffer
Looney tunes
Two miceare sitting on a comfortable seat in a first-class compartment.
The older mouse is wearing a terrific hat
pointing out the most important facts to his young friend.
When the ticket collector comes to punch the tickets
the older mouse solemnly heaves a bouquet up from his inner pocket
without interrupting the flow of his explanation for a single moment.
Then, at precisely the right second, the first Red Indians
appear at the window, who, astride great black horses, are chasing
something or someone, trying with might and main to stay in the picture
but with much panache ultimately have to give up.
‘Your tickets, please!’
The speed of the train must once more be terrifying.
© Translation: 2004, John Irons
Looney tunes
Looney tunes
Twee muizenzitten op een comfortabele bank in een eersteklas coupé.
De oudste muis draagt een prachtige hoed
en wijst zijn jonge vriend op de belangrijkste feiten.
Als de conducteur komt kaartjes knippen
graait de oudste muis plechtig een blos bloemen uit zijn binnenzak
zonder zijn betoog ook maar één moment te staken.
Dan verschijnen, tot op de seconde nauwkeurig,
de eerste indianen in het venster, die bovenop grote zwarte paarden
iets of iemand achtervolgen, met man en macht in beeld proberen te blijven
maar uiteindelijk nog opzichtig verliezen.
‘Uw káártjes graag!’
De snelheid van de trein moet wederom verschrikkelijk zijn.
© 2004, Alfred Schaffer
From: Geen hand voor ogen
Publisher: De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam
From: Geen hand voor ogen
Publisher: De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam
Poems
Poems of Alfred Schaffer
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Looney tunes
Two miceare sitting on a comfortable seat in a first-class compartment.
The older mouse is wearing a terrific hat
pointing out the most important facts to his young friend.
When the ticket collector comes to punch the tickets
the older mouse solemnly heaves a bouquet up from his inner pocket
without interrupting the flow of his explanation for a single moment.
Then, at precisely the right second, the first Red Indians
appear at the window, who, astride great black horses, are chasing
something or someone, trying with might and main to stay in the picture
but with much panache ultimately have to give up.
‘Your tickets, please!’
The speed of the train must once more be terrifying.
© 2004, John Irons
From: Geen hand voor ogen
From: Geen hand voor ogen
Looney tunes
Two miceare sitting on a comfortable seat in a first-class compartment.
The older mouse is wearing a terrific hat
pointing out the most important facts to his young friend.
When the ticket collector comes to punch the tickets
the older mouse solemnly heaves a bouquet up from his inner pocket
without interrupting the flow of his explanation for a single moment.
Then, at precisely the right second, the first Red Indians
appear at the window, who, astride great black horses, are chasing
something or someone, trying with might and main to stay in the picture
but with much panache ultimately have to give up.
‘Your tickets, please!’
The speed of the train must once more be terrifying.
© 2004, John Irons
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