When the parents at the nursery
look at you and whisper
that the man who picks you up
is your father, then defend yourself
straighten your shoulders and your eyes
shamelessly dare to be his son
When people see you and chuckle
because you have a different name
from your father, aunt and grandmother
then defend yourself with the truth
of their deeds, which is greater
than what is in the civil registers
When you do not know where you stand
then make friends with the neighbours
and live in reality every day
Defend yourself with what you can do
Shamelessly dare to receive
what is available to you
When you finally know the secret
then shrug your shoulders
because you've already forgotten it
You have defended yourself with the lie
and with deeds, which are greater
than the stories from the past
Frans de Kok, 17 years old
Frans de Kok, 28 years old
Poem 1978 Amsterdam, 2018-12-13 Fran(ciscu)s Antonius dK (1901-1982) Frans dK directed theater group Were Di (defend yourself) after the Second World War The song "Brabant" (1947 ?, lyrics Clem De Ridder) Collection:New Ago Keyword:Courage Dedicated to:Frans dK