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August 1945
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August 1945 |
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Willem Member
since 1999-11-18
Posts 139Inverness, FL, USA |
AUGUST, 1945 Take this mourning world, o Lord, into Your tenderly loving, arms, take the dead and take the dying, take the maimed, the silently crying, and forgive us what we did... Freely translated from a poem written by the late Dutch poet Jacqueline van der Waals, who wrote it at the end of WW-1. I must say that the original version addressed "Peace" as a dove, rather than God. I felt uncomfortable with that idea, so I actually rewrote, rather than translated, it into prayer form, while fully retaining, I believe, the element of deep compassion in Jacqueline's poem. For those who understand Dutch, the original text follows here: Vrede, spreid uw zachte wieken over de treurende aarde heen, over de doden en de gewonden, over de duizenden snikkende monden die verbleekt zijn in geween... Author: J. v/d Waals Translator: Willem [This message has been edited by Willem (edited 02-04-2000).] |
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| © Copyright 2000 Willem - All Rights Reserved | |||
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WhtDove Member Rara Avis
since 1999-07-22
Posts 9245Illinois |
Well I'm glad you shared that and translated it for us! I sure wouldn't have been able to read it other wise. It's right to the point! <*\\\>< When you can't make up your mind Which way is right for you, Stop and softly ask yourself, What Would Jesus Do? |
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ellie LeJeune Member Elite
since 2000-01-10
Posts 4156King of Prussia, PA USA |
Dear Willem: This is so sad, but beautiful. The message of course is the senselessness of war. Thank you Willem for being so gracious in your reply to my poem. I would be honored if you would send my poems to your daughter. My oldest son is also a teacher. thank you, ellie 02 |
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Sunshine
Administrator
Member Empyrean
since 1999-06-25
Posts 63354Listening to every heart |
Thank goodness for poets who find beauty and truth in other cultures and languages and have the ability to translate. Thank you. Sunshine Look, then, into thine heart, and write ~~~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow |
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sandgrain Member Elite
since 1999-09-21
Posts 3662Sycamore, IL, USA |
Thank you for sharing this. So often I ask why is land considered more valuable than souls. So many wars are over pieces of land and it seems so senseless to me to sacrifice so many lives for a little more land. |
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dovesongs Member
since 2000-01-29
Posts 102Michigan |
Willem, What a touching poem. Thank you for sharing. If only the world would learn that politics, religion, land, race and any number of other things just aren't worth fighting over. The same can be said in our own homes. In the heat of anger we maim and cripple with our words. I shall copy this and keep it to remind me daily. I would also like to thank you for taking the time to comment and critique my poetry. |
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Willem Member
since 1999-11-18
Posts 139Inverness, FL, USA |
To all you dear friends who wrote such nice and encouraging words about this poem from the beloved Dutch poetess, Jacqueline VanderWaals, and my English interpretation of it, thank you so much! Jacqueline would have been very happy to read all this. Well, maybe she does... Willem |
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