THE SISTERS-IN-ARMS

And where my sisters-in-arms go around
scouting the terrain
I found wondrous peonies
that took me in their embrace

My eyes caressed the amorous
flowers, a whole field
full, swaying and tussling
in the balmy breeze, as if we were

soon to wed, and see: even she,
whom I saw as my own
wonder, could laugh, because

my arms lay scattered in the grass
and I had said: I want
to know you always

Translated by Wanda J. Boeke © July 2017
Gedicht: Elly de Waard, Anderling
Beeld: Gabriele Viertel, Secret tango