1.0
Met liefde naar jezelf kijken
Gewoon omdat je dacht
Ik ben even vergeten
Wie ik was
Wie ik ben
Wie ik wil zijn
Niet alleen bestaan
Maar aanwezig zijn
In mijn lijf
In mijn hoofd
Van boven naar onder
En ondersteboven
zijn van jezelf
2.0
Met liefde naar de ander kijken
Gewoon omdat je dacht
Ik was even vergeten
Wie jij was
Wie jij bent
Wie jij wil zijn
Niet alleen bestaan
Maar aanwezig zijn
in jouw lijf
in jouw hoofd
Van boven naar onder
En ondersteboven
zijn van jou
Define work
Define sex
Define sex work
Why do you say
that you know
what you know
When you don’t know
Define whores
Define wisdom
Define wisdom of whores
Why do you lie
that you know
what you know
When you can’t know
Define life
Define choice
Define choices in life
Why do you judge
how I know
what I know
When there’s nothing for you to know
but to accept
It is my fucking life!
+++++++
person of inspiration: Anger can be a constructive and empowering force, in particular when the person can channel this anger to fight for what she believes in. And this Serbian woman knows how to do this exactly without judgment or fear! And with acknowledgement to Elizabeth Pisani for her fantastic book title.
place of inspiration: Hotel Palace in Belgrade, Serbia
It’s a difficult thing
To remain humane
While saving others’ pain
From being forgotten
Bereft, beaten of dignity
Yet you procede
You seek no fame
Only justice for one name
Cherished by loved ones
Fighting unquestionably amorality
There are no exceptions
Each case lights your flame
To keep up your game
Give care and offer reconciliation
serving others in humility
That for me is true humanity
+++++++++++++
Person of inspiration One day we’ll meet in Bogota. A Colombian lawyer fights without hesitation, taking on the most challenging cases to help and find justice. I can only admire her and wish her the energy to continue. And loads of stroopwafels to sweeten life a little more of course.
Place of inspiration: Cafe Schuim, Amsterdam
Batsheba
Is het waar?
Met wie ben je daar?
Zie ik nu
De ander die je kent
Die jouw naam fluistert
Jouw geest begeistert
Wanneer ver weg
De generaal
door de vijand verblind
Vol overgave hen bestreed
maar thuis het echte slagveld vindt
Batsheba
Ben je daar?
Is het verraad nu klaar?
Voel ik nu
Jouw faam besmet
Een eed ontdoken
Het ‘Licht van God’ gebroken
Wanneer dichtbij
De ‘Geliefde’ Koning
verleid door sensuele macht
vol van eigen overtuiging
jullie beider lot heeft verpacht
++++++++
person of inspiration: een ‘overvaller’ die zijn Bijbelse naam ongetwijfeld met rede heeft gekregen, maar het bovenstaande lot hopelijk nooit overkomt
place of inspiration: Soesterberg (of all places)
My dream to be
in the heartlands of musical destiny
Once under the stars of West Africa
I learned the enchanting life of jali
The singers of kings and queens
brought tranquility within me
Sourced through kora, balafon and djembés
Transformed into bongo rhythms of freed slaves
Creating dances beyond my knowledge
movimientos de la gracia y el respeto
Para el secreto universal
of unlocking energy and passion
La pasión!
The unstoppable force of human nature
dentro de mí
dentro de Ti
++++++
persons of inspiration: The wonderful music of Roberto Fonseca, the voice of a modern African jalimusoo Fatoumata Diawara and an amazingly dear friend who always dares to dream
place of inspiration: A jazz cafe in Amsterdam with wonderful Cuban vibes, but ultimately a memory of singing under West African skies
A song
in a loop
repeat, repeat
says the flow
to the beat
A face
in a flash
rewind, rewind
says the eye
to the mind
A thought
in a dream
recall, recall
says the heart
to the soul
+++++++
person of inspiration: the transfer of energy remains & a love for Nina Simone shared
place of inspiration: MC theater, Amsterdam
I wish I knew before
what I know now
I wish I saw yesterday
what I viewed today
I wish I could reverse past mistakes
to set current records straight
I wish I could see beyond the horizon
to see my dreams unfold
I wish I could predict
what my future path will be
But what would be left to say
when I take my spirit to experience away?
++++++
person of inspiration: about working (and living) to learn something new every day
place of inspiration: an office in Freetown, Sierra Leone
In the sun
over the water
simple gestures
reflection in your eyes
collecting strength
giving back loving ties
tremble and turn
whisper
WHISPER and learn
the sound of
mesmerizing thoughts
on repeat
synchronizing
velvet heartbeats
+++++++
persons of inspiration: an unexpected meeting, love between Italy & the Netherlands and a moment of inner reflection by a African photographer who is trying to make a difference
place of inspiration: water, concrete @EYE of Amsterdam
Fatoumata is your sister
Mohamed is your name
The origin beyond the border
Into the kingdom of Diawara, Keita, Kouyaté and Traoré
The old Mandinka warriors
Fatoumata is your sister
Mohamed is your name
Adventure calling you across
stepping into the fearless footsteps of Sunjata
as a modern Mandinka warrior
Each time a chance
To swirl into a new life
and bring back home
The prosperous and peaceful dream
for Sweet Salone
++++++++
person of inspiration: a meeting on a beach brought out old memories of life in Senegal & sharing new hopes for the future
Place of Inspiration: Freetown, Sierra Leone
Floating between the hands of time
The dance of decisions
running around an urban mind
Loving life
Living laughter
A sudden stop
Silence
Balance and resuscitate
the dreams
that drive your hands of time
To build, design, connect
transform your own environment
into the loopholes of possibility
All settled in universal tranquility
+++++++
person of inspiration: unbreakable Latin spirit, person known to the author
place of inspiration: in the ever changing urban environment
illwriteuapoem 