Poem
Tonnus Oosterhoff
Leopard
Leopard by the brain-stemlistens to the radio wind
knowing, not knowing.
He lifts a paw,
pulls a tongue across his spotted fur.
Far away, there’s a collision.
A gust of wind through the trees.
The leopard yawns, stretches.
The apes chatter nervously.
It moves to a new branch.
© Translation: 2004, Karlien van den Beukel
LUIPAARD
LUIPAARD
De luipaard aan de hersenstamluistert naar de radiowind,
wetend, niet wetend.
Hij heft de poot,
trekt de tong langs zijn vlekken, geeuwt.
Ver weg is een aanrijding.
Een windvlaag trekt door de bomen.
De luipaard geeuwt, rekt zich.
De apen lachen angstig.
Het ondier vertakt zich.
© 1990, Tonnus Oosterhoff
From: Boerentijger
Publisher: De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam
From: Boerentijger
Publisher: De Bezige Bij, Amsterdam
Poems
Poems of Tonnus Oosterhoff
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Leopard
Leopard by the brain-stemlistens to the radio wind
knowing, not knowing.
He lifts a paw,
pulls a tongue across his spotted fur.
Far away, there’s a collision.
A gust of wind through the trees.
The leopard yawns, stretches.
The apes chatter nervously.
It moves to a new branch.
© 2004, Karlien van den Beukel
From: Boerentijger
From: Boerentijger
Leopard
Leopard by the brain-stemlistens to the radio wind
knowing, not knowing.
He lifts a paw,
pulls a tongue across his spotted fur.
Far away, there’s a collision.
A gust of wind through the trees.
The leopard yawns, stretches.
The apes chatter nervously.
It moves to a new branch.
© 2004, Karlien van den Beukel
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