I saw her in the coffeebar at the station
messy bags and disheveled clothes
homeless maybe
in front of her was a large mucky cardboard box
which I looked into when I walked past
“yes lady”, she said “ it’s a dove
it’s my dove, I found her on the pavement
she has a damaged wing and a broken leg
yes, now I am looking after her
every day we get food from the shelter”
she hugged the box, her eyes lit up
it was Christmas eve
it flashed through me
there in the coffeebar
right before my eyes
between the glitter and the sparkle of the town
something of the truth unravelled
the heart of Christmas
love in all its simplicity
Oeke Kruythof
Jenny Narraway translation/transcreation