Big Love

Ina ( http://inaweblogisback.wordpress.com ) has translated one of my poems into Dutch.

That is quite something. I have never had one of my poems translated into another language before. I can only imagine how difficult it must be. I am honoured that she should want to try.

She has also promised to record it so that I can hear what it sounds like in Dutch – that is to look forward to. 

With her permission I am posting both versions of the poem in this blog.

Perhaps she will be good enough to add a comment outlining some of her thought process whilst doing the translation.

By way of background to the poem  -

‘Arohanui’ is an ancient Maori word.
It has no direct translation into English. It is perhaps best described as conveying the concept – ‘Big Love’.
I was first introduced to the word by a friend from New Zealand on Myspace and was immediately enchanted by it  -  its sound, the way it looks on a page and its meaning. Hence I was inspired to write the poem.

Enjoy

David

Big love

I let the syllables reverberate
Across my tongue; its sound
Moves out, slides down
soft against my skin, touches
The ground and echoes back;
Surrounds, envelopes me in warmth
Comfort, security of love.

I draw you to me, let you
Put your head upon my shoulder,
Look into your eyes, see love therein.
Under my breath I speak the word;
Let its essence draw us both
Into a place of joy. No other word will do –

Arohanui.

Groot lief

Ik laat de lettergrepen vibreren
Over mijn tong; ‘t geluid
Glijdt steeds lager
Zacht tegen mijn huid, en raakt
De grond en echoot terug;
Omgeeft, omwikkelt me in warmte
Troostend , zekerheid van liefde.

Ik trek je bij me, laat je
Je hoofd op mijn schouder leggen,
Kijk in je ogen, zie liefde daarin,
Onder mijn adem spreekt het woord;
Laat zijn waarheid ons brengen
Naar een plek van vreugde. Geen ander woord volstaat -

Arohanui