Original Poem
When I was least happy in life my daughter led me across the road to a neighbour whom I did not know with the purpose of a toddler who does not see gates and fences but the ducks and puppies on the other side. You spoke to me in the same low murmuring tones you used for lame horses and bilious dogs. Crops, flowers and poultry were our theme: you made me tea and wiped the counter, you said ‘Foeitog’ and ‘I don’t hope so.’ You guessed. You told me I was beautiful, In the courtly way of an old man. One day when it rained you phoned from your side and said ‘I’m sending some ducks for Beatrix’ ̶ you always called her ‘Beatrix’ out the window we saw them, waddling over, in the way of ducks when directed by Oom Piet. You moved and I moved, but one thing stays: the sense of a rescue, somehow being saved.
Translation (English)
When I was most unhappy in life
my daughter took me across the street
to a neighbor I didn't know
with the determination of a little child
who doesn't see barriers
but only the ducks and puppies
on the other side.
You spoke to me in the same gentle tones
you used for sick horses and dogs.
We talked about crops, flowers, and chickens:
you made me tea and cleaned the counter,
you said ‘Poor thing’ and ‘I hope not.’
You understood.
You told me I was lovely,
In the polite way of an old man.
One rainy day
you called from your house and said
‘I’m sending some ducks for Beatrix’
̶ you always called her ‘Beatrix’
we saw them through the window,
waddling over,
like ducks do
when guided by Uncle Piet.
You moved away and I moved away, but one thing remains:
the feeling of being rescued, somehow being saved.
About the Poet
Unknown (Unknown)
The poet's identity and era are not available from the provided text or research.
Historical Context
- Literary Form
- Free verse
- When Written
- Unknown
- Background
- The poem seems to reflect on personal experiences and relationships, possibly capturing a moment of unexpected kindness and connection that provided emotional rescue during a difficult time.
Detailed Explanation
The poem captures a poignant moment of human connection and kindness during a period of personal unhappiness. The speaker recalls being led by their daughter to a neighbor they did not know, who treated them with gentle understanding and kindness. The neighbor's actions, such as speaking in soothing tones and sharing simple conversations about everyday topics, provided a sense of comfort and rescue. The mention of sending ducks for the speaker's daughter, Beatrix, symbolizes a gesture of care and affection. Despite changes and movements in life, the speaker holds onto the memory of this emotional rescue, highlighting the lasting impact of small acts of kindness. The poem uses imagery of animals and nature to convey innocence and simplicity, while the neighbor's courtly manner and the use of phrases like 'Foeitog' add a touch of cultural specificity.
Themes
Literary Devices
Word Dictionary
| Word | Meaning | Translation | Transliteration |
|---|---|---|---|
| least | smallest amount | smallest amount | leest |
| murmuring | softly speaking | speaking softly | mur-mur-ing |
| bilious | sickly | feeling sick | bil-yus |
| courtly | polite | very polite | court-lee |
| waddling | walking like a duck | walking like a duck | wad-ling |
| rescue | saving | saving from danger | res-kew |
| foeitog | poor thing | expression of sympathy | foy-tog |
| fences | barriers | barriers | fen-ses |
| toddler | young child | young child | tod-ler |
| guessed | supposed | thought | gest |
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