Gegenlesung

If you love contemporary or classical German poetry and happen to be in or pass through Antwerp, we expect you September 16 th in den Hopsack (Grote Pieter Pot street) Doors 8,30 PM.

In Gegenlesung two German poets present their latest volume of poetry, Fred Schywek and Wielfried Bienek. Bienek will read from Blocksatz. The following poem is from Hafenklänge, an new anthology with work of six poets.

Land

Land. Land unter.
Land unter den Füßen.
Der Flug beendet.
Die Fahrt vorbei.

Wir falten die Arme,
vom Schwimmen ermüdet.
Entriegeln die Beine,
vom Fliegen im Krampf.

Heben den Kopf,
Hals Über das Wasser.
Atmen die Luft,
Kopf unter Wolken.

Die Beine bedecken.
Die Hände aufdecken.
Den Körper vergessen.
Ausbreiten am Ufer.

Zum Trocknen im Wind.
Die Luft sei geladen.
Sie sei unser Gast
*

Land

Land. Land onder.
Land onder de voeten.
De vlucht ten einde.
De vaart voorbij.

Wij kruisen de armen,
van 't zwemmen vermoeid.
Ontsluiten de benen,
van 't vliegen verkrampt.

De kop heffen,
hals boven 't water.
Ademen de lucht,
kop onder wolken.

De benen bedekken.
De handen ontbloten.
Het lichaam vergeten.
Uitspreiden op de oever.

Om te drogen in de wind.
De lucht weze genodigd.
Zij weze onze gast.

Geblazen het zout.
Weids smaakt het water.
Wij proeven de grond.
*
Land

Land. Land under.
Land under feet.
Ended the flight.
Over the voyage.

We cross our arms,
tired of swimming.
Unlock the legs
cramped by flying.
To lift the head,
neck above water.
To breathe the air,
head under clouds.

Legs under cover
on the cover the hands.
Forget the body.
Spread on the shore.

To dry in the wind.
The air be invited,
to be our guest.

Blown the salt.
Wide was the taste of water.
We tasted the bottom.

Tomorrow a poem by the other German poet, Fred Schywek, who will read from 'Felsenleiter' - Rockstairs - à suivre...