My family is spread all over the world, so we don't see each other much, but when our family is together at a diner table presenting the glasses of wine to each other and let them sing we always say:
"To love in general and to love in particular".
The following poems were written years ago for a now long lost love. Her presence and her questions at that time became the source of inspiration out of which still poems bubble up now and then. I thank her for this invaluable present to me. Yes, at that time she was my love in particular, but I had to let her go and give her back her freedom.
Ak Malten,
Global Anti-Nuclear Alliance (GANA), NL.
So here is to love in particular:
How it started.
A gentle smile was formed
by her lips. A face of a
little clown was surrounding it.
Her eyes where sparkling.
My mind and heart opened instantly.
Could it be her, I looked for
all those passed years.
After some time, my feelings
growing so strong, I knew.
My mind started to wander.
It became a source of inspiration
and acting likewise started.
Everything was accepted with a
happy smile, but then
your questions came towards me.
That night the first lines entered.
They never stopped,
one wave after the other.
Poems started to get form.
And still they come,
one wave after the other.copyright: akmalten@cornnet.nl
And here is to love in general:
Love?
In the garden of my heart stands a tree.
This tree is very old; he was planted
by my ancestors.
Let's have a look at the tree together.
Do you notice how strong he is? His
roots are like big strong hands, who hold
the earth, he is standing in.
These roots are deep enough to feed him
even in times of extreme drought.
His stem is broad and able to carry heavy
loads. Do you see how many branches he
holds up?
His branches bear as well fruit as flower.
Forever and always you can pick his fruits.
In the soft grass at his feet you can have
a lovely rest. His crown will give enough
shade against sun and rain.
His stem gives enough protection against
the winds.
This tree is the tree of love, wisdom and
knowledge. His fruits contains those virtues.
It is not meant to pick and eat his fruit.
If a fruit is ripe, it falls to earth and
rolls for a little while forward, down the
hill, where the tree stands.
Sometimes the fruit reaches a good and
fertile spot. There a new tree can grow.
Look, the old tree is surrounded by a small
orchard.
These are all trees of love, wisdom and
knowledge. Some are in blossom, other bear
fruits already.
These fruits are meant to be picked and eaten;
that's what they are there for.
Shall we have a walk through the garden
together and have a look if there's one
bearing your name?
Yes, there it stands in fertile grounds.
It's still small and fragile, but it's
well rooted. It has a beautiful form.
If it's nursed well, fertilized, watered,
shaded and is given enough light, warms,
love and attention, it will certainly
bear flowers and fruit in future.
copyright: akmalten@cornnet.nl