Postcard

Yasmin Kirhan
Sint-Niklaas, Belgiium
2014
Saint Nicholas eve
All the kids are in bed,
and have put out their shoes.
With a carrot and a letter,
surely he finds that very nice.

All children prick up their ears,
because they might hear someone
running over the rooftops.
No, they do not go to sleep yet
because 'd rather pick up sweets right now.

All children dream about Black Peters.
Now they may already start, hurry up!
Let those presents come soon!
Then they need no longer dream about them.

All children jump out of their bed,
because they had put out their shoes.
No, no carrot, no letter,
but toys and speculaas.
That was definitely our dear Saint Nicholas.

Yasmin Kirhan
Town Child Poet, 2014
Translated by Luc Vermeulen