Thursday, 25 May 2023

Ida Gerhardt: 'Zonsondergang'


 

Zonsondergang

 

De vogelen heb ik zien komen

voorbij het zonneoog.

Ik heb hen neder zien stromen:

van vleugelen wit en zwart,

van kreten wild en verward.

Tot de zon was ondergegaan.

Toen heb ik hen óp zien staan.

Duizenden vleugelen, geslagen,

waren als één vogel,– gedragen,

zwart, langs nachts baan.

 

 

Sunset

 

The birds I have seen this way beaming

past the eye of the sun.

I have seen them downwards streaming:

the whole earth moved, overrun

with wings that were white and black

with cries a wild, tangled track.

Till the sun had sunk into night.

Then I’ve seen their soaring flight.

Thousands of wings that in their beating

were as of one bird,– borne retreating,

black, along night’s back.



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