Zywa

Zywa The playing-field

The pictures, a life of pleasure
no blood, sweat and tears
but people around
my cradle in the family circle

through the gate, the playground
in the park, the stage
of the children
we still are

Then, everyone around the field
halfway through the match
that could still be won
at the time

our hands on the cherry wood
with the rings of our vow
in the middle of the room
on the happiest day

Everything has been celebrated
surrounded by loved ones and friends
for life, in turn each other's
audience around the field

Poem 3365
Amsterdam, 2021-01-14
The playful being (Johan Huizinga) - 1938
Study "Homo ludens"
Collection: Lilith's Powers
Keyword: Playing: fun
Tribute to: Huizinga, Johan

Zywa The flat world [Misconceptions]

In 1935, the future was flat
Order was on the verge of collapse
in families, shops, and factories

In parliaments and cafés
there was a lot of heated talking
at first with everyone, soon
only with like-minded people

Illusions and misconceptions
abounded, citizens grouped
against each other, clashed

Orators sought conflicts and wrong
national borders, made themselves bigger
at the expense of perceived enemies
were on their way to glory and power

States were not to be trusted
There was a need to arm
a need to fight

But war cannot bring peace
only destruction
and sorrow, many long years
until the country is exhausted

Poem 5832
Amsterdam, 2026-01-16
In the Shadow of Tomorrow. A diagnosis of the spiritual suffering of our time (Johan Huizinga) - 1935
Parler (speak) >> Parlement
Huizinga, chapters: I. Moods of Decline, XIV. Is the State a Wolf to the State?, XVII. Superstition, XX. Prospects, XXI. Catharsis
Collection: Changing Times
Keywords: Power: pride, War: attack
Tribute to: Huizinga, Johan

Zywa The flat world [Reproductions]

The world has become too big
Only on the small scale could I
change things, otherwise, I am
passive and can be entertained

by reproductions
that don't require concentration:
talking voices
without faces and body language

exciting stories
on flat screens
and advertisements
for quick satisfaction

both commercial and political
in the game of elections, that drowns
out parliamentary and government
work and turns it into a play

Poem 5829
Amsterdam, 2026-01-15
In the Shadow of Tomorrow. A diagnosis of the spiritual suffering of our time (Johan Huizinga) - 1935
Chapter: VII. The general weakening of judgement
"Homo ludens. Proeve eener bepaling van het spel-element der cultuur" ("Homo Ludens. A study of the play element in culture", 1938)
Collection: Changing Times
Keywords: Reality, Attention: scattered / entertainment
Tribute to: Huizinga, Johan

Zywa The flat world [Digital]

Culture is being flattened
People tolerate this powerlessly
and sometimes even applaud it

With common sense and education
they only half-understand the science
that suits their own agenda

Representatives trump each
other and make no decisions
outside their own fairytale world

where they can go anywhere
without moving a step, they pull
something out of the machine

and wish for the good old days
to play in - a false game
because it knows no end

Poem 5826
Amsterdam, 2026-01-14
In the Shadow of Tomorrow. A diagnosis of the spiritual suffering of our time (Johan Huizinga) - 1935
Chapters: II. Fears of the present and of before, XI. The cult of life, XVI. Puerilism
Collection: Changing Times
Keywords: Power: manipulation, Politics
Tribute to: Huizinga, Johan

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