Frysk dichterskollektyf
Janneke Spoelstra was the Poet of the Month in September 2021. A translation of one of her poems for that month – ‘Change of pace’ – is published below. You can read the original Frisian poem – ‘It ferrin’ – here.
Change of pace I’m walking with my mum, she matches my stride. … My mum is walking with me, I match her stride. © Janneke Spoelstra Translation: Trevor Scarse
Ina Schroders-Zeeders was the RIXT poet of the month August 2021. You can read her original Frisian poems of that month here. The translation of one of them – ‘Brass hats’ – is published here.
Autumn 2021 A rain falls, summer will soon end Whoever’s fearful can feel the darkness That will prevail in those months draw near. The clammy news which frames the time Spills from our screens into our lives. We go to bed with blinkers on. The compassion we’re so proud of during the day Is engulfed by a black dreamless sleep. Verbally exhausted, ignorant of the Taliban, Covid and climate, until the rain Betrays something of reality. Summer will soon end but it was all for nothing. © Ina Schroders-Zeeders Translation: Trevor Scarse
Rein de Lange was the RIXT poet of the month June 2021. You can read his original Frisian poems of that month here. The translation of one of them – ‘Doppler effect’ – is published here.
Doppler effect she can barely hear this voices so sluggish devices behind her ears thin hair forms net curtains a still-life with geraniums nothing stays the same just listen: high tones are already coming, the low take all the old sounds away © Rein de Lange Translation: Trevor Scarse
Edwin de Groot was the RIXT poet of the month May 2021. You can read his original Frisian poems of that month here. The translation of one of them – ‘Tariff and exchange rate’ – is published here.
Tariff and exchange rate i. cholera, messenger of misery struck one down when so fated even a child that bit the dust there’s always some sin to be found a new foundation can simply break as it sets and now we’re due for the collection ii. each covid month just as cruel today’s shepherd on slippery shoes says it’s safer than eating hot dogs a jab is child’s play, wards off ruin sprightly and elated once more on a school trip bringing tasty sandwiches with young cheese and confession © Edwin de Groot Translation: Trevor Scarse
Sigrid Kingma was the RIXT poet of the month February 2021. You can read her original Frisian poems of that month here. The translation of one of them – ‘Brass hats’ – is published here.
Brass hats He won’t hang up streamers for himself celebrates survivals with drawn blinds and closed doors sensitised friends saved pocket money at the bank for a new bicycle Spoiled brat that fights fumigation looks for soft words to lie with or confesses smirking that he forgot who buttered his bread only yesterday Still, crystal clear is the memory that it was treacle that spilled on the paperwork the sticky fingers licked clean in the echo of the whistle blow © Sigrid Kingma Translation: Trevor Scarse
Tsjisse Hettema was the RIXT poet of the month February 2021. You can read his original Frisian poems of that month here. The translation of one of them – ‘the light and the wind’ – is published here.
the light and the wind dance around the house at the edge of the cliff something shifts from black to grey in me I too would like to dance there to keep me like a tearaway maybe in check the exuberance of colour the space of the house the stairs that lead up from my head the cliff holds everything surprisingly tight together it leashed me against its side which means I’m looking for the narrow path that slowly upwards pulls my head down © Tsjisse Hettema Translation: Trevor Scarse
Aggie van der Meer was the RIXT poet of the month February 2021. You can read her original Frisian poems of that month here. The translation of one of them – ‘The geat Xi Jinping’ – is published here.
The Great Xi Jinping they greet they bow then demand to speak first he, Xi, perplexed his power, awarded to him his strong hand and purpose will not be taken away by no one was there any other way open to them, to him was there another choice? he won’t bow down lest he becomes afraid his wrath will guard him now that he knows of their mistake he’ll save them the first word, he will say remains my due as is the last in their silent defence already threatening they know that his fear will force him to imprint his law, his will and thoughts on their lips in their heads no day when they can forget no night it won’t hound them no way out to be found not for them, nor for him the last word, he says, has been said let the world know. © Aggie van der Meer Trans. Trevor M. Scarse