Poem by the Dutch poet Ida Gerhardt

I. THE DECEASED

Here rests, her mouth now full of earth,

she who it was once bore me;

she who forever since my birth

has sought but to destroy me.

And now her body must decay

In me she has returned to stay.

– And her I cannot slay. –

II. SECOND VOICE

You are of her: regard the stone:

The very names both of you own.

Accept your part. – I gaze on you.

Till she in peace will sleep anew.

Till you in peace will stand here too.

For other translations of poems by Gerhardt, go to here and here