Nan Ta Bayendo Nort (They Are Headed North)
- Nan Ta Bayendo Nòrt [They Are Headed North]
| Nan ta bayendo nòrt | They are headed north |
| ku un bòter den nan kurasón | with a bottle in their heart |
| Den nan obstrukshon di tempo | In their obstruction of time |
| nan ta para i kènter kontra biento | they stop and tilt against the wind |
| Manera peregrino nan a hoga | Like pilgrims they drowned |
| band’i un fiesta di rekuèrdo | in a revelry of souvenirs |
| Nan a bin ku nan sonrisa di aya banda | They came with their smiles from yonder |
| subiendo un sero den maínta | going up a hill in the morning |
| ku un kòrtá den nan memoria | with a slash in their memory |
| Nan ta bayendo nòrt aínda | They are still north bound |
| bahando un soño na kaminda | leaving a dream on their way |
| nan ku a kana for di un día | they, who one day set out on a journey |
| e alegríanan a drumi den nan kara | the pleasures lying dormant in their faces |
| for di un bisp’i djadomingo | since the eve of a Sunday |
| Manera angel ku lo keda na kaminda | Like angels falling on their way |
| i riba un djadomingo nobo | and raffling off a new Sunday |
| ku nan boka di papel | speaking in tongues |
| nan ta bolbe kènter | they tilt again |
| i sigui guli biento | and go on drinking air |
| ku nan bòter den nan brasa | while cherishing their bottle |
| bayendo nòrt aínda | still heading north |
| den e krusnan di silencio | amidst the crosses of silence |
| [Papiamento] |
Pedro R. Velásquez
Pedro R. Velásquez, a native of Aruba, has published his poetry in a number of literary journals, especially in Watapana. A percussionist in the Aruban Latin Jazz Ensemble, he is a scholar of Spanish and Latin-American literature and works at the Aruban Language Institute.
Frank A. Williams
Frank A. Williams lives in his native Aruba where he has taught English and has been the Minister of Education. He has published two collections of short stories, one historical work, one collection of poetry, and one novel. All his writing is in Papiamentu.
