Poetry International Poetry International
Poem

Ed Leeflang

ON BEHALF OF THE SIMPLE ONE

Do not leave me behind in sound,
don\'t make me watch the images,
the days are getting shorter and the rain
will keep me long inside.

Give me those days, their things.
I am a simple girl. Talk,
let me get the plates
and dry or break the dishes
in my zeal and understand

why I repeat myself
ask the same questions endlessly
when or how soon what time
will so-and-so be back, these terrors
utilize my life
the tatters of my language.

Laat mij niet achter in geluid

Laat mij niet achter in geluid
gooi mij niet voor de beelden
de dagen korten en de regen
zal mij lang binnen houden.

Geef mij die dagen en hun dingen.
Ik ben eenvoudig. Praat,
laat mij de borden halen
de kopjes drogen of ze breken
in mijn ijver en versta

waarom ik mij herhaal
altijd dezelfde vragen stel
wanneer hoe gauw hoe laat
is die of die er weer, mijn angst
erom benut mijn leven,
de flarden van mijn taal.
Close

ON BEHALF OF THE SIMPLE ONE

Do not leave me behind in sound,
don\'t make me watch the images,
the days are getting shorter and the rain
will keep me long inside.

Give me those days, their things.
I am a simple girl. Talk,
let me get the plates
and dry or break the dishes
in my zeal and understand

why I repeat myself
ask the same questions endlessly
when or how soon what time
will so-and-so be back, these terrors
utilize my life
the tatters of my language.

ON BEHALF OF THE SIMPLE ONE

Do not leave me behind in sound,
don\'t make me watch the images,
the days are getting shorter and the rain
will keep me long inside.

Give me those days, their things.
I am a simple girl. Talk,
let me get the plates
and dry or break the dishes
in my zeal and understand

why I repeat myself
ask the same questions endlessly
when or how soon what time
will so-and-so be back, these terrors
utilize my life
the tatters of my language.
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