Zywa Golden Calf

The bull in front of the stock exchange
throws the rates like balls
up in the air with his horns

the unstable assets
of the hypnotic juggler
more hot air than balls

He ruthlessly sacrifices everything
to the game, eeny meeny ming moe
I am the boss and you are out

New Marx's don't stand a chance
against the superpowers, anything
that is called Big, but is Mega Giga

Big Big Agro Aviation Betting Chemistry
Construction Drugs Entertainment Food
Metal Nicotine Oil Pharma Tech Trade and

Tera Weapons for those who need them
to make people be docilely
at peace with their lives

Poem 5509
Amsterdam, 2024-04-22

   Rushdie, Salman, Di Modica, Arturo
The Golden Calf (exodus 32) is literally a Golden Bull
Sculpture "Charging Bull" (2012, Arturo Di Modica [1941]) in front of the stock exchange building in Amsterdam, which throws prices up with its horns, a symbol of rising rates (a "bull market")
Counting-out game: in Celtic 1-2-3-4 is: ina mina ethera methera. In "The Moor's Last Sigh" (1995, Salman Rushdie) underworld king Abraham Zogoiby has a hand in the death of his wife Aurora and their children: Ina (Christina), Minnie (Inamorata) and Mynah (Philomina), thinks the youngest, their son Moor (Moraes)
Megas = great (million, 106), Gigas = giant (billion, 109), Teras = monster (trillion, 1012)

Keyword: Power: manipulation 
 

Zywa Tinkering

The wheel turns fast here
the twelve spokes form circles
and time flies by

There is still so much wrong
around us, we have to
work harder and be patient

While the bigwigs dance
on the volcano and don't dare
to look, afraid

of getting dizzy
and losing everything
we do what we can

always go the extra mile
and look with a different eye
then there will be plenty of ideas

to play and use toys
for a way out of the problems
caused by our solutions

Poem 5515
Amsterdam, 2024-04-24

   Rushdie, Salman
Tinkering: 'jugaad', a creative improvisation, a frugal innovation, a solution that bends the rules
The wheel: in the flag of Bharat (India)
A fast life: in "The Moor's Last Sigh" (1995, Salman Rushdie), the body of Moraes Zogoiby (the Moor) develops twice as fast as normal
For toys, man invented the wheel

Keywords: Culture: skill / competence, Bharat (India) 
 

He is angry, she

answers: Save yourself all words!


Bye, little dead sir!


Hij is boos, ze zegt:
Bespaar je alle woorden!sagt: Spare dir die Wörter!

Dag, dood meneertje!Tschüss, toter Herrchen!

Poem H3570
Amsterdam, 2022-11-15

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter I. Angel Gibreel - end of §3
Keyword: Anger / Rage 
 

Power is: never

allowing what whoever --


keeps secret for you.


Macht is: niet kunnen
toelaten wat wie dan ook --lassen, was wer auch immer --

voor je geheim houdt.für dich geheim hält.

Poem H3571
Amsterdam, 2022-11-15

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 2. Mahoun
Keyword: Power: wielding 
 

Whoever wakes up

here, will wake the butterflies --


sleeping on his cheek.


Wie hier wakker wordt,
wekt de vlinders uit hun slaap --die Schmetterlinge, schlafend --

op zijn warme wang.auf seiner Wange.

Poem H3572
Amsterdam, 2022-11-17

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter IV. Aisha
Keyword: Flying: butterfly / moth 
 

Before they can speak

angels always have to wait --


for a listener.


Engelen moeten
met spreken altijd wachten --ein Engel immer warten --

op een luisteraar.auf einen Hörer.

Poem H3573
Amsterdam, 2022-11-20

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter V. A city visible but unseen, §2
Keyword: Angel / Devil 
 

Long-term collisions:

eight kilometres high is --


the Mount their effect.


Steeds weer botsingen::
acht kilometers hoog is --acht Kilometer hoch ist --

de berg hun effect.der Berg der Effekt.

Poem H3574
Amsterdam, 2022-11-21

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter VII. The angel Azraeel, §1
Keyword: Nature: force / violence 
 

Above the pilgrims

it flies, the large parasol:


a butterfly swarm.


Boven de pelgrims
vliegt de grote parasol --fliegt das große Parasol --

van een zwerm vlinders.des Schmetterlingsschwarms.

Poem H3575
Amsterdam, 2022-11-22

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter VIII. The parting of the Arabian Sea
Keywords: Flying: butterfly / moth, Wonder / Marvel 
 

The baby, quiet,

swaddled, wearing a bonnet --


on the dynamite.


De baby is stil,,
ingebakerd, met een muts --gewickelt, eine Mütze --

op het dynamiet.auf dem Dynamit.

Poem S1564
Amsterdam, 2022-11-15

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter I. Angel Gibreel - end of §3
Keyword: Violence: impersonal 
 

They work very hard,

while the pilgrims are asleep:


the wallet-rippers.


Ze werken erg hard,,
terwijl de pelgrims slapen:während die Pilger schlafen:

de beurzensnijders.die Börsenschlitzer.

Poem S1565
Amsterdam, 2022-11-15

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 2. Mahoun
Keyword: Equality: inequality 
 

Their will controlled him,

archangel or not, he just --


had to obey them.


Hun wil bedwong hem,,
aartsengel of niet, hij moest --Erzengel oder nicht, er --

hen gehoorzamen.musste gehorchen.

Poem S1566
Amsterdam, 2022-11-16

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter III. L-O-N-D-O-N §2
Keyword: Willpower 
 

She doesn't dare look back:

that love scene in the hay, did --


it really happen?


Ze durft niet terug
te kijken: dat in het hooi,wagt sie nicht: ist das im Heu --

is dat echt gebeurd?wirklich so passiert?

Poem S1567
Amsterdam, 2022-11-16

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter III. L-O-N-D-O-N, § 2
Keyword: Memory: remembering 
 

I pity old friends:

the old memories they share --


can be so hurtful.


Ach, oude vrienden::
oude herinneringen --alte Erinnerungen --

kunnen hen kwetsen.können verletzen.

Poem S1568
Amsterdam, 2022-11-16

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter III. L-O-N-D-O-N §4
Keywords: Friendship: bond, Memory: of someone 
 

Living in exile:

hoping or not to return --


covered with honour.


Leven als balling::
wel of niet hopen dat je --hoffend oder nicht, du kehrst --

eervol terugkeert.zurück mit Ehre.

Poem S1569
Amsterdam, 2022-11-17

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter III. L-O-N-D-O-N §5, and IV. Aisha
Keyword: Safety: flight 
 

He is so holy!

Wine on his lips instantly --


turns into water!


Hij is zo heilig,
dat de wijn aan zijn lippen --Der Wein auf seinen Lippen --

meteen water wordt!wird zu Wasser!

Poem S1570
Amsterdam, 2022-11-17

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter IV. Aisha
Keyword: Power: demonstration 
 

If knowledge is off,

there are only wishful dreams --


as moral guidance.


Als kennis verdwijnt,,
zijn er alleen wensdromen --gibt es nur die Wunschträume --

als moreel houvast.als sittlicher Halt.

Poem S1571
Amsterdam, 2022-11-20

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter V. A city visible but unseen, §2
Keyword: Ethics: laws 
 

The world does exist,

finally I know for sure:


I am dying there.


De wereld bestaat,
alsnog weet ik het zeker --weiß ich es, sehr sicher, jetzt --

nu ik er doodga.wo ich dort sterbe.

Poem S1572
Amsterdam, 2022-11-23

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter IX. A wonderful lamp
Keywords: Death: dying, Reality 
 

Zywa Doubt and Belief [2]

Usually angels are vague
weak shadows in the head
of the people who imagine them

but prophets have wishes
that force archangels
to do and say
what they need urgently

It comes from God
including the evil
(that people do to each other)

and the devils from tradition
whom the chosen want
to expel from everyone
who is different from them

God is Allwise
He lets men
judge for themselves

about faith and knowing
and the elaboration of rules
for everything about which
there could otherwise be doubts

Poem 4825
Amsterdam, 2022-11-20

The Satanic Verses (Salman Rushdie)
1988   Rushdie, Salman
Gibreel
Keywords: Angel / Devil, Bible 
 

It's the dry season,

so people have to make do --


with dried fish for months.


In de droge tijd-
eten de mensen alleen --zeit essen die Menschen nur --

gedroogde vissen.getrockneten Fisch.

Poem H6329
Amsterdam, 2026-06-21

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 1, The Shah of Blah (page 9)
Keyword: Animals: fish 
 

The monsoon rains knock

down the black clouds of smoke from --


the gloom factories.


De regen slaat de
rookwolken uit de somber-Rauchwolken der Traurigkeits-

heidsfabrieken neer.fabriken nieder.

Poem H6330
Amsterdam, 2026-06-21

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 1, The Shah of Blah (page 9)
Keywords: Rain / Hail, New beginning / New start 
 

The princes are still

here in the pleasure gardens --


disguised as hoopoes.


In de lusthof zijn
de hopvogels de vorsten --Wiedehopfe die Prinzen --

die hier ooit leefden.die einst hier lebten.

Poem H6331
Amsterdam, 2026-06-21

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 1, The Shah of Blah (page 11)
Keywords: Flying: bird, bird of prey, Spirit / Ghost(s) 
 

Accidents are sad,

but they happen quite often --


and that's comical.


Ongelukken zijn,
triest, maar ze gebeuren vaak --aber sie passieren oft --

en dat is komisch.und das ist komisch.

Poem H6332
Amsterdam, 2026-06-21

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 2, The Mail Coach (page 14)
Keyword: Reality 
 

It's so beautiful!

It is truly terrible --


if you are blind here.


Dit is zo prachtig!!
Het is echt heel vreselijk --Es ist absolut schrecklich --

als je hier blind bent.wenn man hier blind ist.

Poem H6333
Amsterdam, 2026-06-21

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 2, The Mail Coach (page 14)
Keyword: Beauty: surroundings 
 

They move together.

Look closely now! The shadow --


often leads the way.


Ze trekken samen.
op, let goed op de schaduw!Achte jetzt auf den Schatten!

Die loopt vaak voorop.Er geht oft voran.

Poem H6334
Amsterdam, 2026-06-23

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 8, Shadow Warriors (page 51)
Keyword: Identity: personality 
 

Please drive carefully!

An accident is costly:


the lives, and the cars!


Rijd toch voorzichtig!!
Een ongeluk is kostbaar:Ein Unfall ist ja teuer:

levens en auto's!Leben und Autos!

Poem S3189
Amsterdam, 2026-06-21

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 2, The Mail Coach (page 13)
Keyword: Danger: behaviour 
 

On the perspiring

faces, the dust turns into --


a layer of mud.


Op de bezwete
gezichten vormt al het stof --Gesichtern wird der Flugstaub --

een laagje modder.zu einer Schlammschicht.

Poem S3190
Amsterdam, 2026-06-21

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapter 2, The Mail Coach (pages 14, 15)
Keyword: Health: way of living 
 

Zywa Save the Sources

Stories are fluid:
interwoven streams
in the primeval
Ocean of Stories

all colour, and ranging
from boiling hot to icy cold
They mingle, renew themselves
and beget new stories

But the water spirits are becoming
overworked! Everywhere you find
mutilated stories in the smut
and confused, and rotting stories

There is a proliferation
of polluted stories
and on the horizon
the oldest stories languish

while in the darkness
the persecuted, banished
and silenced stories
shrivel up in loneliness

Poem 6063
Amsterdam, 2026-06-22

Haroun and The Sea of Stories (Salman Rushdie)
1990   Rushdie, Salman
Fairy tale, chapters 4 - 9
Keywords: Stories: tradition / order, Stories: truth / untruth 
 

The queen is hunting

me, but I also dream that --


I'm untraceable.


De koningin jaagt,
op mij, maar ik droom ook dat --aber ich träume auch, dass --

ik onvindbaar ben.ich unsichtbar bin.

Poem H6007
Amsterdam, 2025-11-11

Christopher Columbus and Queen Isabella of Spain consummate their relationship [Santa Fé, January, 1492] (Salman Rushdie)
1991   Rushdie, Salman
Story, in: The New Yorker, also published in the collection "East, West" (1994, section "West")
Keyword: Dream(s) 
 

Without a lover

my fingers - ooh - comfort me --


ah - with fantasies.


Oh, zonder minnaar,
troosten - oe - mijn vingers me --trösten mich meine Finger --

met fantasieën.mit Fantasien.

Poem H4586
Amsterdam, 2024-03-30

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "A house divided", (1-) 3
Keyword: Desire (craving, lust) 
 

Waiving happiness

and suffering for the truth:


a better country.


Afzien van geluk
en lijden voor de waarheid --und leiden für die Wahrheit:

van een beter land.ein besseres Land.

Poem H4587
Amsterdam, 2024-03-30

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Mahatma Gandhi and Jawaharlal Nehru
Novel, chapter "A house divided", (1-) 3

Keywords: Idealism, Bharat (India), Politics 
 

The train uphill runs

in the dark for a short time:


the One Kiss Tunnel.


De trein op de berg
rijdt even in het donker:hinauf fährt kurz im Dunkeln:

de Eén-Kus-Tunnel.der Ein-Kuss-Tunnel.

Poem H4588
Amsterdam, 2024-04-01

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 9
Keyword: In love: happiness 
 

He is old, his mouth

does not smile with charm, but grins --


like a skeleton.


Hij is oud, zijn mond
lacht niet betoverend, maar --lächelt nicht charmant, sondern --

grijnst als een skelet.grinst wie ein Skelett.

Poem H4589
Amsterdam, 2024-04-02

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 11
Keyword: Old age: ailments / defects 
 

The sister sails in:

an old ship with white sails tight-


ly around her head.


De non zeilt binnen:
een oud schip, witte zeilen --ein: ihre weißen Segel --

staan strak om haar hoofd.eng um ihren Kopf.

Poem H4590
Amsterdam, 2024-04-02

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 12
Keyword: Identity: image 
 

Time is fluid, here

on the plane, we are floating --


in moments of now.


De tijd is vloeibaar
in het vliegtuig, we zweven --hier im Flugzeug, wir schweben --

steeds in het heden.in der Gegenwart.

Poem H4591
Amsterdam, 2024-04-06

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "The Moor's Last Sigh", (4-) 19
Keyword: Time: now / present 
 

Spices, wonderful

scents were once the beginning --


a bad smoke their end.


Kruiden, heerlijke
geuren waren het begin --Düfte waren der Anfang --

een walm hun einde.ein Rauch ihr Ende.

Poem S2161
Amsterdam, 2024-03-30

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "A house divided", (1-) 3
Keyword: Violence: annihilation 
 

There are charred corpses

hanging from scorched stakes, remains --


of fire-devoured trees.


Verkoolde lijken
aan geblakerde staken, vuur-versengten Pfählen, Bäumen --

verslonden bomen.feuerzerfressen.

Poem S2162
Amsterdam, 2024-03-30

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "A house divided", (1-) 3
Keyword: Violence: annihilation 
 

Cities put their faith

in citizens, villages --


put their faith in god.


Steden vertrouwen
op hun burgers, de dorpen --auf die Bürger, die Dörfer --

vertrouwen op god.vertrauen auf Gott.

Poem S2163
Amsterdam, 2024-03-31

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "A house divided", (1-) 4
Keywords: Religion: hold, Bharat (India) 
 

The biggest taboo

is of course, ouch, your parents' --


sexuality.


Het grootste taboe
is de seksualiteit --ist die Sexualität --

oei, van je ouders.uh, deiner Eltern.

Poem S2164
Amsterdam, 2024-03-31

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "A house divided", (1-) 7
Keywords: Parents: strangers, Taboo 
 

Family demands

obedience, love isn't --


invulnerable.


Mijn familie eist
gehoorzaamheid, ach, liefde --gehorchen? Ach, Liebe macht --

is niet onkwetsbaar.nicht unverwundbar.

Poem S2165
Amsterdam, 2024-03-31

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "A house divided", (1-) 7
Keyword: Parents: strangers 
 

The rope is broken,

my lilac-red kite crashes --


although it is free.


Het touw gaat kapot,,
mijn roze vlieger stort neer --mein rosa Drachen stürzt ab --

ofschoon hij vrij is.obwohl er frei ist.

Poem S2166
Amsterdam, 2024-04-01

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 9
Keyword: Freedom: liberation 
 

The gypsy child with

the shedding tear has grown up:


now a weeping knight.


Het zigeunerkind
met de traan, nu volwassen:mit der Träne, erwachsen:

een ridder die huilt.ein Ritter, der weint.

Poem S2167
Amsterdam, 2024-04-01

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 10
Keyword: Appearances 
 

Any overworld

is a palimpsest over --


a scraped underworld.


De bovenwereld
is een palimpsest over --ist ein Palimpsest über --

de onderwereld.einer Unterwelt.

Poem S2168
Amsterdam, 2024-04-02

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapters "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 11 and "The Moor's Last Sigh", (4-) 19
Keywords: Power: manipulation, Bharat (India), World(view) 
 

A quick marriage,

with a lasso around us --


to seal it tightly.


Een snelhuwelijk,,
met een lasso om ons heen --ein Lasso um uns herum --

als bezegeling.zur Besiegelung.

Poem S2169
Amsterdam, 2024-04-02

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 12
Keywords: Marriage (wedding), USA 
 

We were citizens,

and suddenly our faith has --


become suspicious.


We waren burgers,,
en ineens is ons geloof --und jäh ist unser Glaube --

verdacht geworden.fraglich geworden.

Poem S2170
Amsterdam, 2024-04-02

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapters "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 13 and "Bombay Central", (3-) 18
State of Emergency in India 1975-1977, declared under Indira Gandhi; oppression of political opponents and non-Hindus

Keywords: Together: discord, Religion: hold 
 

Mass of supporters

times corruption-degree squared --


makes a dynasty.


Mensenmassa maal
corruptie in het kwadraat --Korruption im Quadrat macht --

maakt een dynastie.eine Dynastie.

Poem S2171
Amsterdam, 2024-04-03

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Spices from Malabar", (2-) 15
Bharat's (India's) variation of E=mc2 (Energy = mass * lightspeed square) is: D=mc2 (Dynasty = mass-of-supporters * corruption square)

Keywords: Power: mass, Bharat (India) 
 

Tall bite tales wander

about and attach themselves --


to amputations.


De rondzwervende
bijtverhalen hechten zich --Bissgeschichten heften sich --

aan amputaties.an Amputierten.

Poem S2172
Amsterdam, 2024-04-04

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "Bombay Central", (3-) 16
Keyword: Stories: truth / untruth 
 

I don't have a hold,

with others, he never looks --


at me lovingly.


Ik heb geen houvast,,
nooit kijkt hij in gezelschap --in Gesellschaft sieht er nie --

mij liefdevol aan.mich liebevoll an.

Poem S2173
Amsterdam, 2024-04-07

The Moor's Last Sigh (Salman Rushdie)
1995   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter "The Moor's Last Sigh", (4-) 20
Keyword: Attention: exist 
 

The ground beneath her

feet has taken her, the earth --


whose praises I sang.


De grond onder haar
voeten nam haar, de aarde --ihr nahm sie auf, die Erde --

die ik geroemd heb.deren Lob ich sang.

Poem H4532
Amsterdam, 2024-02-22

The Ground Beneath Her Feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman, U2
Novel, chapter 15 Beneath her feet
Song "The Ground Beneath Her Feet" (lyrics Salman Rushdie [1999], music U2, album "All That You Can't Leave Behind" [2000]) - Earthquake / Orpheus mourns

Keywords: Sadness: mourning, Beauty: earth 
 

The applause rumbles

appallingly, people scream --


because the earth shakes.


Het applaus rommelt
vervaarlijk, mensen gillen --gefährlich, Leute schreien --

want de aarde beeft.denn die Erde bebt.

Poem H4977
Amsterdam, 2024-10-13

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 1 The Keeper of Bees
Keyword: Life: survival (reflex) 
 

Silence afterwards,

as if it were a photo --


of a child screaming.


Stilte na de ramp,
alsof het een foto is --wäre's ein Foto eines --

waarop een kind schreeuwt.schreienden Kindes.

Poem H4978
Amsterdam, 2024-10-13

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 1 The Keeper of Bees
Keyword: Silence (danger) 
 

If you are grateful,

but you don't know who to thank --


you may well need God.


Als je dankbaar bent,
maar niet weet wie te danken --und nicht weißt, wem du danken

heb je God nodig.sollst, brauchst du wohl Gott.

Poem H4980
Amsterdam, 2024-10-14

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 1 The Keeper of Bees
Keyword: Gratitude 
 

The past is hidden

like a treasure, it's hard work --


excavating it.


Het verleden is
een schat, ontzettend veel werk --ist ein Schatz, harte Arbeit --

om op te graven.sie auszugraben.

Poem H4981
Amsterdam, 2024-10-14

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 3 Legends of Thrace
Keywords: Past: discover, New: renewal 
 

So much he enjoys

her bathing his figure in --


her longing regard.


Hij geniet ervan
dat hij gebaad wordt in haar --sie ihn badet in ihren --

verlangende blik.sehnsüchtigen Blick.

Poem H4983
Amsterdam, 2024-10-15

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 4 The Invention of Music
Keyword: Identity: being seen 
 

The floor is ceiling:

you see a metal flower --


spinning beneath you!


De vloer is plafond::
je ziet een metalen bloem --sieh, eine Metallblume --

draaien onder je!dreht sich unter dir!

Poem H4984
Amsterdam, 2024-10-15

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 4 The Invention of Music
Keyword: Fantasy: imagination 
 

It is great to bring

something to light, without words --


showing the secret!


Wow, iets aan het licht
te brengen, zonder woorden --bringen, ohne Worte das --

het geheim tonen!Geheimnis zeigen!

Poem H4990
Amsterdam, 2024-10-19

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 8 The Decisive Moment
Keyword: Truth: reveal 
 

What he and I share

is the AH-period:


our life After Her.


Wat we delen is
de NH-periode:die NI-Periode:

ons leven Na Haar.die Jahre Nach Ihr.

Poem H4991
Amsterdam, 2024-10-19

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 9 Membrane
Keyword: Friendship: understanding 
 

She always looks me

up to talk to me, because --


I know her, her life.


Zij zoekt mij steeds op
om met me te praten, want --mit mir zu reden, weil ich --

ik ken haar leven.ihr Leben kenne.

Poem H4992
Amsterdam, 2024-10-19

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 11 Higher Love
Keyword: Friendship: conversations 
 

I don't read clippings

about me, I weigh how much --


heavier they get.


Knipsels over mij
lees ik niet, ik weeg hoeveel --mich wäge ich ab, wie viel --

zwaarder ze worden.schwerer sie werden.

Poem H4995
Amsterdam, 2024-10-21

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 14 The Whole Catastrophe
Keyword: Honour / Fame 
 

Nude with sunglasses:

peace on earth, which is almost --


going to perish.


Naakt met zonnebril::
vrede op aarde, bijna --Frieden auf der Erde, die --

gaat die ten onder.fast zugrunde geht.

Poem H4996
Amsterdam, 2024-10-21

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 14 The Whole Catastrophe
John Lennon and Yoko Ono

Keyword: Peace: wish 
 

My photos of her

presence: the pile of dishes,


the untidy bed.


Mijn foto's van haar
aanwezigheid: de afwas,Anwesenheit: das Geschirr,

het beslapen bed.das zerwühlte Bett.

Poem H4998
Amsterdam, 2024-10-22

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 14 The Whole Catastrophe
Keyword: Memory: token 
 

She relies on me,

I am strong, I am her rock --


I endure the pain.


Ze vertrouwt op mij,,
ik ben sterk, ik ben haar rots --ich bin stark, ich bin ihr Fels --

en verdraag de pijn.ertrage den Schmerz.

Poem H4999
Amsterdam, 2024-10-22

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 15 Beneath her feet
Keyword: Help (support) 
 

He's a beauty, like

a flower, I pick and stick --


him between my teeth.


Hij is mooi, ik pluk
hem als een bloem en steek hem --ist schön, ich stecke ihn mir --

tussen mijn tanden.zwischen die Zähne.

Poem S2414
Amsterdam, 2024-10-13

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 1 The Keeper of Bees
Keyword: Love: play 
 

People expect peace

from her, which confuses her --


so she has no peace.


Mensen verwachten
vrede van haar, het verwart --Frieden von ihr, verwirrt hat --

haar, ze heeft geen rust.sie keine Ruhe.

Poem S2415
Amsterdam, 2024-10-14

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 1 The Keeper of Bees
Keyword: Hero(ine) 
 

Ah, these spat out words

will become unscrupulous --


stones and bullets.


Gespuwde woorden
worden nietsontzienende --werden zu rücksichtslosen --

stenen en kogels.Steinen und Kugeln.

Poem S2416
Amsterdam, 2024-10-14

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 2 Melodies and Silences
Keyword: Hatred 
 

Inexplicable

is the explosion of births --


so chaste people are.


Onverklaarbare
geboorten-explosie, zo --diese Geburtsexplosion --

kuis is iedereen.so keusch sind alle.

Poem S2417
Amsterdam, 2024-10-16

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 4 The Invention of Music
Keyword: Taboo 
 

There's a skyscraper

where our villa used to be --


Gigantic gravestone.


Een wolkenkrabber,
op de plek van ons huis, een --wo früher unser Haus war --

enorme grafsteen.Riesiger Grabstein.

Poem S2418
Amsterdam, 2024-10-17

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 6 Disorientations
Keyword: City (stone & steel) 
 

They rape her at home,

saying that with me they will --


not be so gentle.


Ze verkrachten haar,,
maar met mij zullen ze niet --aber zu mir werden sie --

zo zachtzinnig zijn.weniger sanft sein.

Poem S2421
Amsterdam, 2024-10-19

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 8 The Decisive Moment
Keyword: Power: violence 
 

The girls stand ready,

and together they practise --


modest behaviour.


De meisjes staan klaar,,
tezamen oefenen ze --gemeinsam üben sie sich --

ingetogenheid.in Bescheidenheit.

Poem S2422
Amsterdam, 2024-10-19

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 9 Membrane
Keywords: Womanly (devotion), Child: education 
 

Refugees must learn

to forget their memories:


no Home, Return, Hope.


De vluchtelingen
moeten leren vergeten:lernen, es zu vergessen:

Thuis, Terugkeer, Hoop.Heim, Rückkehr, Hoffnung.

Poem S2423
Amsterdam, 2024-10-19

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 9 Membrane
Keyword: Home: displaced 
 

Based on looks I have

to take my pants down: rectal --


examination.


Om mijn uiterlijk
moet het, moet mijn broek omlaag:muss meine Hose runter:

rectaal onderzoek.Rektalkontrolle.

Poem S2424
Amsterdam, 2024-10-19

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 10 Season of the Witch
Keyword: Foreigners: aversion 
 

Take it or leave it,

she demands. He is in love --


and takes it.. for love.


Zeg ja of zeg nee,,
eist ze. En hij is verliefd --verlangt sie. Er ist verliebt --

hij zegt Ja.. ik wil.und sagt Ja.. ich will.

Poem S2425
Amsterdam, 2024-10-20

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 11 Higher Love
Keyword: In love: allurement 
 

People from other

worlds are slipping and sliding --


in, and out again.


Er slippen mensen
uit een andere wereld --anderen Welt schlüpfen ein --

binnen, en weer weg.und rutschen heraus.

Poem S2426
Amsterdam, 2024-10-20

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 12 Transformer
Hallucinations

Keywords: Illusions: neuropathy, Spirit / Ghost(s) 
 

A state of my own,

new, within safe walls, that is --


what I call: freedom.


Een eigen staat, nieuw,,
binnen veilige muren --neu, sicher ummauert, das --

dat noem ik: vrijheid.nenne ich: Freiheit.

Poem S2427
Amsterdam, 2024-10-21

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter 13 On Pleasure Island
Keywords: Safety: home, Freedom: self-determination 
 

Zywa Only the sea

I hate it here, the heat, all
year round, even when it rains
that horrible rain, the bugs
the bad water, awful food

the poor people, they are everywhere
the rich people, so pleased
with themselves, and the hustle and bustle

the gaudy clothes, the loud
talking, all the questions and orders
the dirt, the stench and the squatting
to poop, I hate it

money with which you can't buy anything
in shabby shops, stupid entertainment
the films, the dancing, the music

all the accents, the crooked language
and the proper language, which is uncommon
all the cars except American
and those too because they are old models

school, which is a prison
holidays, oh so stiff
even then no time off

old people, children, radio and TV
without reception, and the arguments
about the gods
Only the sea is worthy of me

Poem 5563
Amsterdam, 2024-10-15

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999
A child in Mumbai in the fifties
Novel, chapter 3 Legends of Thrace

Keywords: Life: effort, burden, Bharat (India) 
 

Zywa Don't feed the animals

With a broad chest
a masturbating tongue
beautiful feathers, a hot breath
and a forked tongue
they live on our skin

We little horny rats in the eyes
of the screaming crowd
that rattles the fences
in the zoo, the cages
in which we are trapped

The gorillas who clear the way
the hyena who says she is helping
the peacock who dresses our hair
the dragon for our image and
the hissing of the tour manager

Don't step on their tails
and don't feed them, please
Just let their airs
explode, no more ground
beneath their feet

Poem 5572
Amsterdam, 2024-10-22

the ground beneath her feet (Salman Rushdie)
1999   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapters 1 The Keeper of Bees, 12 Transformer, 13 On Pleasure Island
Music album "Hot rats" (1969, Frank Zappa)

Keywords: Honour / Fame, Pride: arrogance 
Composer: Zappa, Frank 
 

Still to be set up:

the Merry Celebration --


of Counting Blessings.


Nog in te stellen::
de Viering van het Tellen --das Frohe Fest des Zählens --

van Zegeningen.unsrer Segnungen.

Poem H3756
Amsterdam, 2023-03-14

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 1
Keyword: Gratitude 
 

With a clean duster,

the maid goes around the house --


waving like a queen.


Met een stofdoek doet,
de werkster het huis, wuivend --die Putzfrau das Haus, winkend:

als een koningin.eine Königin.

Poem H3757
Amsterdam, 2023-03-15

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 14
Keyword: Equality: self-respect 
 

High fashion is more

fashionable than ever --


There's money to burn.


De mode is meer
in de mode dan ooit, want --modischer denn je, weil der --

geld wil graag rollen.Rubel rollen muss.

Poem S1702
Amsterdam, 2023-03-14

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 1
Keywords: Wealth: luxury, Prestige: conceit 
 

Everyone expects

to win and bets money on --


a castle in air.


Iedereen verwacht
te winnen en zet geld in --zu gewinnen, setzt Geld auf --

op een toekomstdroom.einem Zukunftstraum.

Poem S1703
Amsterdam, 2023-03-14

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 1
Keyword: Greed 
 

It is night, I walk

across the metropolis --


which denies the night.


Midden in de nacht
loop ik door de wereldstad --laufe ich durch die Weltstadt --

die de nacht ontkent.die die Nacht leugnet.

Poem S1704
Amsterdam, 2023-03-14

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 4
Keywords: City (crowded), Night 
 

Corpses in the street

look like humans, but fake ones --


more like broken dolls.


Een lijk op straat lijkt
op een mens, een namaak-mens --Leichen aus wie Menschen, wie --

een kapotte pop.kaputte Puppen.

Poem S1705
Amsterdam, 2023-03-14

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 6
Keyword: Death: silence / lifelessness 
 

I'm walking my dog

in the sound of the silence --


with my earplugs in.


In het geluid van
de stilte wandel ik met --führe ich den Hund aus, mit --

mijn oordopjes in.den Ohrstöpseln drin.

Poem S1706
Amsterdam, 2023-03-14

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
The Sound of silence (Simon & Garfunkel)

2001   Rushdie, Salman, Simon, Paul
Novel, § 7
Song "The sound of silence" (1964, Simon & Garfunkel)

Keyword: Silence (emptiness) 
 

Stamps on the pages

of the letter to my dad:


Not to be censored.


Stempels op elk vel
van de brief aan mijn vader:des Briefes an den Vater --

Niet gecensureerd.gestempelt: Nicht zensiert.

Poem S1707
Amsterdam, 2023-03-15

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 9
Keyword: Power: wielding 
 

She is a goddess,

wearing a long train of boys --


like a Golden Goose.


Ze is een godin
en draagt een sleep van jongens --eine Schleppe aus Jungen --

als een zwaan-kleef-aan.wie ein Schwan-kleb-an.

Poem S1708
Amsterdam, 2023-03-15

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 11, fairy tale "The Golden Goose"
Keyword: In love: allurement 
 

With their victory,

the generals earn a lot --


of honour, and rights.


De generaals zijn
de winnaars, ze verdienen --verdienen mit dem Sieg viel --

veel eer, en rechten.Ehre, und Rechte.

Poem S1709
Amsterdam, 2023-03-15

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 12
Keyword: Power: pride 
 

Tall- and slim-doctors,

treat you just like an object --


Are you still human?


Lang- en dundokters
behandelen je als ding --behandeln dich wie ein Ding --

Ben je nog een mens?Bist du noch ein Mensch?

Poem S1710
Amsterdam, 2023-03-15

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 14
Keyword: Identity: physical 
 

Rights never will be

granted, first you must suffer --


and then you'll take them.


Rechten worden nooit
verleend, eerst moet je lijden --gewährt, zuerst leidet man --

en dan neem je ze.und dann nimmt man sie.

Poem S1711
Amsterdam, 2023-03-16

Fury (Salman Rushdie)
2001   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, § 14
Keyword: Equality: assert 
 

I talk in my sleep,

I recorded it and then --


quickly erased it.


Ik praat in mijn slaap,,
ik nam het op en meteen --ich hab es aufgenommen --

heb ik het gewist.und sofort gelöscht.

Poem H4616
Amsterdam, 2024-05-06

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter India
Keywords: Self-knowledge (acquire), Sleep 
 

Walking in silence,

listening attentively --


to what the world says.


Zwijgend wandelen
en aandachtig toehoren --und aufmerksam zuhören --

wat de wereld zegt.was die Welt uns sagt.

Poem H4617
Amsterdam, 2024-05-06

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter India
Keyword: Attention: surroundings 
 

India is much

more than chaos: through and through --


logical chaos.


India is veel
meer dan chaos: door en door --mehr als Chaos: durch und durch --

logische chaos.logisches Chaos.

Poem H4618
Amsterdam, 2024-05-06

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter India - 'India is chaos making sense'
Keywords: Order: chaos, Bharat (India) 
 

In a flash she sees

him as a murderer, grave --


flowers at his feet.


Even ziet ze hem
als moordenaar, grafbloemen --als Mörder, mit Grabblumen --

rondom zijn voeten.um seine Füße.

Poem H4619
Amsterdam, 2024-05-07

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter India
Keyword: Insight (intuition) 
 

On a tightrope, you

walk best thinking of it as --


air that carries you.


Op een koord loop je
makkelijk als je het ziet --gehst du leicht, wenn du es siehst --

als lucht die jou draagt.als Luft, die dich trägt.

Poem H4620
Amsterdam, 2024-05-07

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Boonyi, § 1
Keyword: Attention: focus 
 

It is illegal

the power of the soldiers --


Thát is illegal.


Het is illegaal
de macht van de soldaten --die Gewalt der Soldaten --

Dát is illegaal.Dás ist illegal.

Poem H4621
Amsterdam, 2024-05-07

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Boonyi, § 2
Keywords: Power: violence, Power: laws 
 

She doesn't even know

whether she prefers justice --


or bloody revenge.


Ze is onzeker,
of zij gerechtigheid wil --ob sie ja Gerechtigkeit --

of bloedige wraak.oder Rache will.

Poem H4623
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 1
Keywords: Together: justice, Revenge 
 

Why aren't there angels

keeping watch, not even here --


in Los Angeles?


Waarom waken er
geen engelen, niet eens hier --keine Engel, nicht einmal --

in Los Angeles?in Los Angeles?

Poem H4624
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 1
Keywords: Care: brotherly love, Angel / Devil 
 

Gold and reserves don't

really matter in my life --


but the future does.


Goud noch reserves
doen ertoe in mijn leven --sind unwichtig im Leben --

alleen de toekomst.nur die Zukunft zählt.

Poem H4625
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 1
Keyword: Future: wish 
 

He's looking at me,

I feel a kiss, but he's still --


sitting over there.


Hij kijkt steeds naar mij,
ik voel een kus in mijn nek --spüre einen Kuss, aber --

maar hij zit daar nog.er sitzt noch drüben.

Poem H4626
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 2
Keyword: In love: uncertainty 
 

He's a loving man,

he will be worthy of me --


when I am ready.


Hij is liefdevol,,
hij is mij zeker waard als --er wird meiner würdig sein --

ik er klaar voor ben.wenn ich bereit bin.

Poem H4627
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 2
Keyword: Love: doubt 
 

If dead were to dream

they would definitely dream --


of death all the time.


Als doden zouden
dromen, zouden ze alsmaar --könnten, würden sie immer --

dromen van de dood.nur vom Tod träumen.

Poem H4628
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 2
Keywords: Decay, Death: silence / lifelessness 
 

The guests run away,

the staff is left with the feast --


left with the rumours.


De gasten vluchten,,
het personeel blijft zitten --das Personal bleibt allein --

met de geruchten.mit den Gerüchten.

Poem S2183
Amsterdam, 2024-05-07

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Boonyi, § 1
Keyword: Care: thinking ahead 
 

Back in the village,

looked at like a dead person --


an evil spirit.


Terug in het dorp,
bekeken als een dode --eine Tote angeblickt --

als een boze geest.als ein böser Geist.

Poem S2185
Amsterdam, 2024-05-17

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Shalimar the Clown, § 1 - Boonyi returns to her village, where she has been declared dead
Keyword: Spirit / Ghost(s) 
 

The living dead are

free of Time, their sufferings --


baptise them in Love.


Levende doden
zijn vrij van de tijd, hun pijn --sind frei von der Zeit, ihr Schmerz --

doopt hen in Liefde.tauft sie in Liebe.

Poem S2186
Amsterdam, 2024-05-17

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Shalimar the Clown, § 1
Keywords: Religion: promise, Love: is all 
 

All the resistance

fighters are afraid, they are --


baptise them in Love.


De verzetsstrijders
zijn steeds bang, er zijn er veel --haben immer Angst, sie sind --

te weinig van hen.viel zu wenige.

Poem S2191
Amsterdam, 2024-05-18

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Shalimar the Clown, § 2
Keyword: War: resistance 
 

God doesn't ask people

for their love, but only for --


their obedience.


God vraagt de mensen
niet om hun liefde, maar om --verlangt Gott keine Liebe --

hun gehoorzaamheid.sondern Gehorsam.

Poem S2192
Amsterdam, 2024-05-18

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Shalimar the Clown, § 2
Keywords: Pride: arrogance, Religion: revelation 
 

Manly love happens

to be action, it comes down --


to fighting dangers.


Ach, mannelijke
liefde is actie, vechten --Liebe ist Tat, ist Kämpfen --

tegen gevaren.gegen Gefahren.

Poem S2193
Amsterdam, 2024-05-18

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Shalimar the Clown, § 2
Keyword: Manly (aggression) 
 

Hell would be better,

but no gate opens, because --


she's already there.


Ze wil naar de hel,,
maar er gaat geen poort open --doch es öffnet sich kein Tor --

want ze is er al.weil sie schon da ist.

Poem S2194
Amsterdam, 2024-05-18

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Shalimar the Clown, § 2
Keywords: Heaven / Sky / Hell, Alone: separated 
 

The world is no good,

the rage of the orthodox --


will purify it.


De wereld deugt niet,,
de toorn der gelovigen --der Zorn der Strenggläubigen --

zal haar zuiveren.wird sie reinigen.

Poem S2195
Amsterdam, 2024-05-18

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
In Afghanistan, mujahideen fought for freedom against the Russian occupation and they legitimised this with an incorrect explanation of the Islamic doctrine
Novel, chapter Shalimar the Clown, § 2

Keywords: Religion: revolution, Afghanistan 
 

Ruins, the hamlet

seems to have been burrowed through --


by super-sized worms.


Ruïnes, het dorp
lijkt wel omgewoeld te zijn --scheint durchwühlt worden zu sein --

door reuzenwormen.von Riesenwürmern.

Poem S2196
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 2
Keywords: Decay, Animals: worm / maggot 
 

The hamlet decays,

being struck by the twins of --


poverty and fear.


Het dorp verkommert,,
getroffen door de tweeling --geplagt von den Zwillingen --

armoede en angst.von Armut und Angst.

Poem S2197
Amsterdam, 2024-05-19

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, chapter Kashmira, § 2
Keywords: Decay, Poverty: visible 
 

Zywa Intentional misunderstanding

Amsterdam is a code word
for my husband, whom I love
despite everything, I talk about him
and my lover fantasises
a paradise of the city

where the facades smell
of flowers, the streets
are avenues to parks
and the river feeds everyone
with milk and honey

By the MP who senselessly
attacks demonstrators
kills discussions
and restricts freedoms
out of imagined love

without any idea that
a country, a body
is being occupied by force
I mean him, and he
is suing the government

Poem 5533
Amsterdam, 2024-05-16

Shalimar the Clown (Salman Rushdie)
2005   Rushdie, Salman
Novel, about Boonyi, in the chapter "Max"
Amsterdam: in the novel it is Kashmir (called paradise in the chapter "India"), as indication for Shalimar the Clown
MP: military police

Keyword: Communication (half, half-hearted) 
 
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