The Ditches – De fearten

The Ditches

Milk Strike 1943, Oudega
Bouke de Vries (1907-1943)
Broer de Witte (1923-1943)

The day seemed bright as Postma’s days,
the Fliet was smooth and over ponds and pools
the sun shone like a glittering fish.
High above the green of farms, time
unfolded every dream, encompassing
the thought that life is of a piece. *

Just picture it! But the peaceful joy
was only show. Turmoil was stewing
in those clouds and here and there a tower
bowed its head. The milk would run like blood
into the ditches: resisting those who’d
try to steal the very heart of freedom.

Heels came down on temples and the blinded
day succumbed to guns and violence.
Without god or angels, time passes still,
as empty as the train from Stavoren to Sneek,
which runs between horizons of indifference.
What makes life of a piece for us today?

Translation: David Colmer

* referring to a line of poetry by Obe Postma

 

De fearten

Molkestaking 1943, by Aldegea
Bouke de Vries (1907-1943)
Broer de Witte (1923-1943)

It like in dei, ljocht as yn Obe’s dagen,
kalm lei it Fliet en inkeld blinkende
fisk wie de sinne boppe mar en poel.
Heech yn it grien fan de hôven tearde
Tiid alle dreamen iepen, “omfiemjend
in tinken dat it libben tocht as ien.”

Ay, tink dy dat ris yn! Mar skyn wie
de rêst fan it geniet. Unrêst wjukke
út de wolkens op, en hjir en dêr bûgde
in toer de holle. As bloed rûn molke
de fearten yn: in ferset tsjin alles wat
it hert út it djipste fan frijheid helle.

Hakken klapten tsjin sliepen, en blyn
ferkaam de dei by geweld en gewear.
Sûnder god of ingel is bleaun de tiid,
leech allyk de trein Starum-Snits dy’t
ûnferskillich, no de kimen yn rydt.
Wat lit it libben langer tinke as ien?