Edward van de Vendel will present his collective work of poetry “The Sexy Storm” at the annual Americas Poetry Festival of New York which takes place this October 10 until the 12th.

© Americas Poetry Festival of New York

About Edward van de Vendel

Edward van de Vendel mostly writes books for young adults and children. His work includes poetry, song lyrics, fiction, picture books and non-fiction. He was born in Leerdam, The Netherlands (1964). He was a teacher in elementary schools before he became a fulltime writer in 2001. His books were awarded with a number of awards, both in The Netherlands and abroad, and he was nominated for the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (3x). His books are sold to more than fourteen countries. A collection of his poetry for (young) adults was published by “A Midsummer Night’s Press” in English under the title “The Sexy Storm” (2018).

© Letteren Fonds

This Body next to Mine

How can I not be more aware
that this body in this bed
makes sleep deeper and more beautiful,
makes dreams more childlike?

That this body next to mine
is a weapon, warm and small,
that drives my doubts
out into night?

That this body next to mine
is a levee and a flood,
that holds back the tide
while opening up my shores?

Especially when it doesn’t speak.
Especially when it’s safely silent.

I turn over.
Your quiet body next to mine.
I turn over.
I wrap my silent limbs around it.
I turn over.
Soon we will wake and talk.
I turn over.
Soon we’ll be alone again.

Translated by David Colmer