Eva Gerlach poem published in 'Daar ligt het' (2003)

ASPHALT

Just now the barge for Haarlem

passed through the street. Along the pavement

towed the scrawny horses with the lad and in

the middle of the road my grandpa’s grand

father cleft the waters. Don’t leave me

behind here I cried through the window

from where I saw them pass, I can’t just stay

here on my own, but borne along they took

the turn left to the park. The asphalt

closed up, from depths that I’d clearly seen

streaming, reflecting and

rushing, no fish leapt. Let’s hope

I thought that with still liquid tide they’ll

get to where they would be bound tonight.

Everything lay as it always lay.

You arrived, quite late, parked

carelessly as usual, took your case

from the car and standing there on

solid asphalt looked straight up at me.