The Poems of Leiden website was one of the first things I discovered when googling Leiden. When I was still in the process of looking at schools I found the site. It was one of the factors that made me feel a pull to Leiden. I haven't seen many while I've been here but they have been a lovely surpise when I do find them. It's like discovering a new treasure.
I love poetry and I often discover that even the most familiar poems have new meaning after new life experiences. When I'm learning a language I like to read poetry written in the language. I get a sense of the cadence of the language and see the language in a new context. I was glad to find a bilingual book of Dutch poetry I had since I was studying Dutch. It's been a pleasure to re-read it as a student again. The added experience of reading the poems in the country of origin of the poets gives it more meaning.
On an orientation tour of Leiden we came across the poem in the picture. This poem was familiar and I couldn't help reading it with new meaning after the last few months.
Here is my rough translation from the Spanish.
Misterio
Why am I alive
and the glass is full of water
and the door closed
and the sky the same as yesterday
and the birds golden
and my mouth wet
and my books arranged?
Why am I dead
and the glass the same as yesterday
and the door golden
and the the sky full of water
and the birds aranged
and my mouth closed
and my books wet?
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