MAAN IN DE STIER

Nepomucenusbrug, 19.09.16.

I had completely
the wrong idea about Taurus.
I imagined

thick-skinned Spanish bulls
goring and tossing humans
insensitively

out of the ring. Unaware
of April with her showers
zoet, planet Venus

softening winter’s blows
into leaves of tenderest green,

nursing our bodies
(those important parts of us)
with natural herbs.

Earth, yes! A fixed sign
in this hostile universe
of hastening traffic.

–  Maria, passing,
photographs me in the sun,
writing on the bridge.