"View of Dresden by Moonlight" by Johan Christian DahlA Translation of ‘Evening Stroll’ by P.C. Boutens The Society August 21, 2019 Beauty, Culture, Poetry, Translation 4 Comments Evening Stroll by P.C. Boutens (1870-1943), written in The Hague in 1909, translated by Leo Zoutewelle We wandered much too late today! __Nearby the final bridge, There where the trail just fades away __We turned back toward our ridge. Behind us rose a whitish fog __Over the dusky lands. In no time we’ll be home, our dog __Nuzzles with love our hands… How far we went this eventide! __Although it was too late: Still farther than the golden guide __That leads to heaven’s gate. These twain need but a little time __To cover wide and far!… Still endless roads are left to climb __Tomorrow, on a star. If we but could together stand __At the end of this domain And cross together hand in hand __We’d never turn again! July 16, 2018 Original Dutch Avondwandeling Wij hebben ons vandaag verlaat! __Pas bij de laatste brug Waar ‘t voetpad tusschen ‘t gras vergaat, __Daar keerden wij terug. Achter ons dekt de witte damp __De schemerende landen. Zóo zijn wij thuis. Wij zien de lamp __In loveren warande. . . Wat gingen wij vanavond ver, __Het werd alleen tè laat: Nog verder dan de gouden ster __Aan blauwe hemelstraat! Zoo saam doen twee een korte poos __Over een wijd gebied! . . . Nog liggen wegen eindeloos __Voor morgen in ‘t verschiet! . . . O konden we eens zoo samen staan __Aan de allerlaatste brug, En saam en blij er overgaan – __Wij kwamen nooit terug! Severance by Leo Zoutewelle One lonely day I found myself bereft Of sweet serenity and human bliss. I tried to read but had no patience left, For all I craved was you and oh, your kiss. But no, I had reality to face: There was a mighty ocean in my way! Although you made my yearning heart to race, I had to keep my rising grief at bay. I’m now compelled to change what I had planned: I want to join us in a secret meet, That we might always wander hand in hand And ever have ambrosia to eat. What am I left? I lack whatever cheer Might substitute your lovely presence here. April 2, 2017 Leo Zoutewelle was born in 1935 in The Netherlands and was raised there until at age twenty he emigrated to the United States. He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Davidson College, in North Carolina, and a Masters in Business Administration from the Darden School in the University of Virginia. In 1977, he went into business for himself in the field of land surveying, which he maintained until 2012, when he retired. Since then, he has written an autobiography and two novels (unpublished). NOTE TO READERS: If you enjoyed this poem or other content, please consider making a donation to the Society of Classical Poets. The Society of Classical Poets does not endorse any views expressed in individual poems or commentary. Trending now: 4 Responses Sally Cook August 21, 2019 Dear Leo Zoutewelle — Your love and respect for the language of poetry is evident. To have made such a beautiful translation of Mr. Bouten’s exquisite poem is indeed an accomplishment. You have made a haunting poem come alive after more than a century. Thank you. Reply Leo Zoutewelle August 21, 2019 Dear Sally, I am thankful to you for your beautiful comment, which all by itself is poetry! Thank you. Reply C.B. Anderson August 23, 2019 Very nice, indeed, Leo. I sometimes wish I knew another language well enough to make translations to and from. It sounds like a fruitful exercise that would augment one’s knowledge of the possibilities inherent in both languages. Reply Leo Zoutewelle August 23, 2019 Thank you, CB, I do agree with your thoughts about the possibilities of knowing more than one language. By the way, never say never… Reply Leave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website Δ This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
Sally Cook August 21, 2019 Dear Leo Zoutewelle — Your love and respect for the language of poetry is evident. To have made such a beautiful translation of Mr. Bouten’s exquisite poem is indeed an accomplishment. You have made a haunting poem come alive after more than a century. Thank you. Reply
Leo Zoutewelle August 21, 2019 Dear Sally, I am thankful to you for your beautiful comment, which all by itself is poetry! Thank you. Reply
C.B. Anderson August 23, 2019 Very nice, indeed, Leo. I sometimes wish I knew another language well enough to make translations to and from. It sounds like a fruitful exercise that would augment one’s knowledge of the possibilities inherent in both languages. Reply
Leo Zoutewelle August 23, 2019 Thank you, CB, I do agree with your thoughts about the possibilities of knowing more than one language. By the way, never say never… Reply
