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Aug 2024 · 349
[ The fountain is clear ]
Zywa Aug 2024
The fountain is clear,

I dry myself with some grass --


The nightingale sings.
Ballad "Au bord d'une fontaine" ("By the edge of a fountain", 1500), set to music by Mozart in 1781 (K360, "Hélas, j'ai perdu mon amant")

Collection "Love Mind and Death"
Aug 2024 · 213
[ You are poetry ]
Zywa Aug 2024
You are poetry,

sleeping in a guest-room bed --


and I keep watching.
Poem "Chaos" (1998, Erik Jan Harmens)

Collection "Loves Tricks Gains Pains in the 80s and 90s"
Aug 2024 · 246
[ When I visit them ]
Zywa Aug 2024
When I visit them

I look to see what has changed --


To be home again.
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) and "Diary 1966-1967" (2009), April 1st, 1967 in Amsterdam

Collection "Trench Walking"
Aug 2024 · 261
[ Summery silence ]
Zywa Aug 2024
Summery silence:

curtains closed, and the window --


is on a spacer.
Poem "Nu" ("Now", 1925, Chris van Schagen)

Collection "SoulSenseSun"
Aug 2024 · 455
[ I'm kissing the shells ]
Zywa Aug 2024
I'm kissing the shells

of her eyes, the little hairs --


prickle: be careful!
Poem "Meisje" ("Girl", 1916, Chris van Schagen)

Collection "Love Mind and Death"
Aug 2024 · 950
[ Evening twilight lays ]
Zywa Aug 2024
Evening twilight lays

intimacy in the world --


tenderness in me.
Poem "Avond" / "VI" ("Evening" / "VI", 1886, Willem Kloos)

Collection "Moist glow"
Aug 2024 · 180
[ No marriage vow, but ]
Zywa Aug 2024
No marriage vow, but

something special: a wedding --


that, oops, is cancelled.
Novel "Jackson's Dilemma" (1995, Iris Murdoch), chapter One

Collection "Unspoken"
Jul 2024 · 207
[ So I am pregnant ]
Zywa Jul 2024
So I am pregnant,

but I have no idea what --


my mother size is.
Poem "Plus" (2023, Jana Arns)

Collection "Unseen"
Jul 2024 · 217
[ You and you only ]
Zywa Jul 2024
You and you only

know my pain, for you yourself --


did it, broke my heart.
Poem "Und wüßten’s die Blumen" ("And if the flowers knew", 1823, Heinrich Heine), from the collection "Lyrisches Intermezzo" - XXII, set to music in 1840 by Robert Schumann

Collection "Love Mind and Death"
Jul 2024 · 220
[ A poet who cries ]
Zywa Jul 2024
A poet who cries

writes concentrated, uses --


his tears as his ink.
Poem "Aus meinen Thränen sprießen" ("From my tears sprout", 1823, Heinrich Heine), from the collection "Lyrisches Intermezzo" - II, set to music in 1840 by Robert Schumann, in a translation reworded in 2004 by Jan Rot

Collections "Love Mind and Death" and "Look at me"
Jul 2024 · 196
[ The coffin must be ]
Zywa Jul 2024
The coffin must be

big, bigger than you think now --


For all my sorrow.
Poem "Die alten, bösen Lieder" ("The old, evil songs", 1823, Heinrich Heine), from the collection "Lyrisches Intermezzo" - LXVI, set to music in 1840 by Robert Schumann

Collection "Love Mind and Death"
Jul 2024 · 225
[ All my skin is clothed ]
Zywa Jul 2024
All my skin is clothed

in a flowing net of rain:


living crocheting.
Novel "Frankissstein: a love story" (2019, Jeanette Winterson), Lake Geneva, 1816

Collection "Loves Tricks Gains Pains in 10s"
Jul 2024 · 184
[ Let me be alone ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Let me be alone,

I do like it and get bored --


when in company.
Novel "Frankissstein: a love story" (2019, Jeanette Winterson), Lake Geneva, 1816

Collection "Loves Tricks Gains Pains in 10s"
Jul 2024 · 235
[ We sit back to back ]
Zywa Jul 2024
We sit back to back

against my mother's headstone --


Nice conversations.
Novel "Frankissstein: a love story" (2019, Jeanette Winterson), Lake Geneva, 1816
Collection "Loves Tricks Gains Pains in 10s"
Jul 2024 · 207
[ I'm afraid, free will ]
Zywa Jul 2024
I'm afraid, free will

is rare, it's a luxury --


for the happy few.
Novel "Frankissstein: a love story" (2019, Jeanette Winterson), Methinks, wrote Byron

Collection "Loves Tricks Gains Pains in 10s"
Jul 2024 · 252
[ We are animals ]
Zywa Jul 2024
We are animals,

disguised by something artful --


as if we were more.
Novel "Frankissstein: a love story" (2019, Jeanette Winterson), There never was a wilder story (1818)

Collection "Loves Tricks Gains Pains in 10s"
Jul 2024 · 298
[ The speaker pauses ]
Zywa Jul 2024
The speaker pauses,

he is impatient, but can --


force himself to wait.
Novel "Frankissstein: a love story" (2019, Jeanette Winterson), The mind is the matrix

Collection "Loves Tricks Gains Pains in 10s"
Jul 2024 · 479
[ True love! After all ]
Zywa Jul 2024
True love! After all,

the love potion was a fraud --


but who believes that?
Opera "L'elisir d'amore" ("The Love Potion", 1832, Gaetano Donizetti, libretto Felice Romani, based on Eugène Scribe's libretto of the opera "Le philtre" [The magic potion] from 1831), second act, final scene, Finale 2

Collection "Love Mind and Death"
Jul 2024 · 392
[ They all sympathise ]
Zywa Jul 2024
They all sympathise

and write their best intentions --


to put in the urn.
Poem "Als enige kennisgeving" ("As the only announcement", 2023, Jana Arns)

Collection "Em Brace"
Jul 2024 · 433
[ The day starts okay ]
Zywa Jul 2024
The day starts okay,

normal, like yesterday, just --


slightly different.
Science fiction novel "Grimus" (1975, Salman Rushdie - A Simurg(h) ['Thirty birds'] is a Persian legendary creature, an omniscient bird, symbol for someone's world of thought), part 1 Times Present, chapter 2

Collection "Low gear"
Jul 2024 · 298
[ Some people live on ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Some people live on

in a book, thanks to bottles --


of eternal ink.
Science fiction novel "Grimus" (1975, Salman Rushdie - A Simurg(h) ['Thirty birds'] is a Persian legendary creature, an omniscient bird, symbol for someone's world of thought) -
Characters can live for many generations -
The eternity potion is sun-yellow

Collection "Low gear"
Jul 2024 · 334
[ He who doesn't see what ]
Zywa Jul 2024
He who doesn't see what

he expects, doesn't see what's there --


is disappointed.
Story "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili" ("Poliphilo's Strife of Love in a Dream" / "The Dream of Poliphilus", 1499, Francesco Colonna), first book, chapter 10

Collection "Unseen"
Jul 2024 · 114
[ God remains unseen ]
Zywa Jul 2024
God remains unseen,

He disguises himself to --


do the things He does.
Story "Hypnerotomachia Poliphili" ("Poliphilo's Strife of Love in a Dream" / "The Dream of Poliphilus", 1499, Francesco Colonna), first book, chapter 10 - About queen/goddess Telosia

Collection "Unseen"
Jul 2024 · 169
[ I'm homeless without ]
Zywa Jul 2024
I'm homeless without

your hands, roaming through the fields --


There is snow coming.
Poem "Huset og hendene" ("House and hands", 1985, Rolf Jacobsen)

Collection "VacantVoid"
Jul 2024 · 234
[ I almost stumble ]
Zywa Jul 2024
I almost stumble

over the tangles of web --


of loose thoughts I spun.
Play "Peer Gynt" (1867, Henrik Ibsen; music Edvard Grieg, 1876), fifth act, "Nattscene" ("Night scene") - The dying Peer Gynt looks back on his life

Collection "VacantVoid"
Jul 2024 · 295
[ How then could I say ]
Zywa Jul 2024
How then could I say

where the shoe is pinching if --


I'm not wearing it?
Play "Peer Gynt" (1867, Henrik Ibsen), fifth act, "Nattscene" ("Night scene") - The dying Peer Gynt looks back on his life

Collection "VacantVoid"
Jul 2024 · 388
[ Am I in hell now ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Am I in hell now?

I don't think it is heaven! --


There is no one here!
Play "Peer Gynt" (1867, Henrik Ibsen), fifth act, "Nattscene" ("Night scene") - The dying Peer Gynt looks back on his life

Collection "VacantVoid"
Jul 2024 · 607
[ Beware, he kisses ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Beware, he kisses

beside my cheek nowadays --


as if I am air.
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels), and "Diary 1966-1967" (2009) - July 2ND, 1967 in Bologna

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 695
[ I'm searching the book ]
Zywa Jul 2024
I'm searching the book

you gave: you are everywhere --


you're so deceptive!
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) - Summer 1968 in Cupra Marittima (below Ascona)

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 447
[ By chance found again ]
Zywa Jul 2024
By chance found again:

the butterfly box, the pins --


in circles of dust.
"Dagboek 1954-1957" ("Diary 1954-1957", 2005, Frida Vogels) - January 19th, 1955 in Milan

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 125
[ There is no escape ]
Zywa Jul 2024
There is no escape:

the whole world is entangled --


in the snares of love.
"Dagboek 1954-1957" ("Diary 1954-1957", 2005, Frida Vogels), based on an old Chinese poem - March 25th, 1955 in Luxemburg

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 1.0k
[ They keep arguing ]
Zywa Jul 2024
They keep arguing

in my presence, obviously --


I need to know this.
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) and "Diary 1966-1967" (2009) - April 1st, 1967 in Amsterdam

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 164
[ Resiliently hanged ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Resiliently hanged:

the instrument is restless --


In search of balance.
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) and "Diary 1966-1967" (2009) - April 4th, 1967 in Amsterdam

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 343
[ A tree uprooted ]
Zywa Jul 2024
A tree uprooted,

mud, a crack in the rock-ledge –


and clear spring water!
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) - Summer 1966 in Bologna

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 180
[ In music you sense ]
Zywa Jul 2024
In music you sense

Order, wow, it just happens –


A perfect world now!
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) - Summer 1966 in Bologna

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 753
[ Trying to find an ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Trying to find an

attitude, as attitude --


staying on the side.
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) en "Diary 1966-1967" (2009) - April 24th, 1966 in Amsterdam

Collection "Trench Walking"
Zywa Jul 2024
I try words, watch them

fall and caress them until --


they become solid.
Poem "mijn mond is al open" ("my mouth is already open", 2013, Erik Jan Harmens)

Collection "WriteWiser signage"
Jul 2024 · 212
[ Even gentlemen ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Even gentlemen

wish to live with dignity --


well, common, sometimes.
Comic strip "Tom Poes en de klonters" ("Tom **** and the lumps", 1955, Marten Toonder), strip 2654
Jul 2024 · 363
[ Requesting poet's ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Requesting poet's

muse with good references --


Generous respect.
Comic strip "Heer Bommel en de muzenis" ("Sir Bumble and the muse-web", 1955-1956, Marten Toonder), strip 2693
Jul 2024 · 273
[ In the room, silence ]
Zywa Jul 2024
In the room, silence

rustles, as if creation --


is now beginning.
Poem "The big inner room is as dark" (1985, Zelda Schneurson)

Collection "SoulSenseSun"
Jul 2024 · 241
[ It's quiet inside ]
Zywa Jul 2024
It's quiet inside,

mother is in the palace --


of her devotions.
Poem "The big inner room is as dark" (1985, Zelda Schneurson)

Collection "SoulSenseSun"
Jul 2024 · 199
[ Not the way it is ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Not the way it is,

only the way it happens –


my life is okay.
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1966, Frida Vogels) and "Diary 1966-1967" (2009) - May 15th, 1966 in Blaricum

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 144
[ Read my family ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Read my family

story, it is a portrait --


how I see myself.
Autobiographical account "De harde kern" - 1 ("The *******" - 1, 1992, Frida Vogels) - April-May 1966 in Amsterdam

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 380
[ The clouds heavily ]
Zywa Jul 2024
The clouds heavily

sail through the lake of my eyes --


Swans are flying up.
Poem "Léda plus vive possédée que la nature" ("Leda, more lively posessed than nature" (1949, Paul Éluard)

Collection "Break"
Jul 2024 · 180
[ I'm getting so cold ]
Zywa Jul 2024
I'm getting so cold

without you, because it snows --


It snows white despair.
Song "Tombe la neige" ("Snow is falling", 1964, Salvatore Adamo)

Collection "Blankets of snow"
Jul 2024 · 191
[ Remembered, the facts ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Remembered, the facts

are not sharp, fallen apart --


into a vague mood.
Diary (2005, Frida Vogels) - August 23rd, 1957 in Rome

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 187
[ Only now am I ]
Zywa Jul 2024
Only now am I

wearing the yellow blouse, that --


belonged to mother.
Diary (2005, Frida Vogels) - July 29th, 1957 in Amsterdam

Collection "Trench Walking"
Zywa Jul 2024
Wild waves, the shore comes

close, it narrows more and more --


Then, calm, the strait.
Poem "Het naderen van een beslissing" ("Approaching a decision", 1957, Frida Vogels)

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 182
[ My feelings, I write ]
Zywa Jul 2024
My feelings, I write

poems about them, although --


that does not help me.
Diary (2005, Frida Vogels) - December 9th, 1956

Collection "Trench Walking"
Jul 2024 · 271
[ A passer-by asks ]
Zywa Jul 2024
A passer-by asks:

Where from? Where to? I walk on --


with him, in silence.
Poem "Langs 't pad liepen veel vreemden" ("Many strangers walked along the path", 1955, Frida Vogels)

Collection "Trench Walking"
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