Maar je bent ook als
de rank van de anglo
die hoe vaak ze ook op haar trappen
haar bladeren weghalen
haar bloemen vertrappen
zelfs haar wortel vernielen
toch schiet ze weer omhoog
en na elke regenbui
zal ze met meer kracht
meer schoonheid groeien
dan voorheen

Listen to this poem in Papiamento.
Voiced by: Libèrta Rosario

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Does this poem hold a special place in your heart? For example, do you remember when you first read the poem? Or did you come across it someplace unexpected? Let us know at muurgedichten@taalmuseum.nl! We would love to add your story to our website.

Guillermo E. Rosario in Leiden

Photo Anoesjka Minnaard

Ma, tambe
Bo ta manera nos rank’i angló
Ku pa kwantu nan trap’e
Ranka su yerbanan
Marchitá su flornan
I asta distruí su rais
E ta bolbe lanta kabes
I ku kada yobida
E ta krese
Ku mas forsa
I mas bunitesa ku antes!

But,
You are also like our puncture vine creeper
No matter how much they trample her
Pull her weeds
Ruin her flowers
And even destroy her roots
She rises again
And, with each rainfall
Grows stronger
And more beautiful than before!

Translation: Frank Williams
 

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This entry was written by Het Taalmuseum. The following publications were consulted:

• WerkgroepCaribischeLetteren.nl over Guillermo Rosario
• IISR.nl over Guillermo Rosario