The girl with the fan
goes up the bridge
the water reflects
her slender image
The gentlemen peer
casually ahead -
to the girl with the fan
who wants to be wed
The girl with the fan
is silently beckoning
the ruffles rustle
what she is thinking
The gentlemen stare
as they portly squire
their fair-haired wives
in fancy attire
The crickets chirping
their love songs westwards
(The girl is hopping
there to the pastures)
The crickets chirping
amidst the flowers
(The gentlemen are
still walking northwards)
Sep 30, 2023
Sep 30, 2023 at 2:10 AM UTC
The girl with the fan
goes up the bridge
the water reflects
her slender image
The gentlemen peer
casually ahead -
to the girl with the fan
who wants to be wed
The girl with the fan
is silently beckoning
the ruffles rustle
what she is thinking
The gentlemen stare
as they portly squire
their fair-haired wives
in fancy attire
The crickets chirping
their love songs westwards
(The girl is hopping
there to the pastures)
The crickets chirping
amidst the flowers
(The gentlemen are
still walking northwards)
"Canción china en Europa", a mi ahijada Isabel Clara (to my god-daughter Isabel Clara; 1921, Federico García Lorca, collection "Canciones")
Translation contest "The Netherlands translates" (2023)
Collection "Reaching out"
