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8 March 1943. The Japs enclosed the once so desirable residential area Kare-es in Bandung after the men were transported to other camps. Conditions became more and more cramped when slowly each room, corridor or garage was filled with women and children. In every available space lived a family, who now had to struggle without the support of their men.
In the beginning some men were allowed occasionally into the enclosure to do some repairs and when that happened the women were ordered to turn their backs towards them to prevent any contact.
One day my mother recognised one of the men walking past her. From the corner of her eye she saw him throwing a crunched up piece of paper at her feet. Surreptitiously she moved her foot to hide it and when she was allowed to continue on her way she knelt down to pretend to adjust her shoelaces to pick it up.
Below follows the anonymous poem dedicated “to all the decent women in the Dutch Indies”.
This poem is still in my mother’s possession and has done the rounds in the three camps we stayed in. I hope my translation will evoke the same sentiment as the original Dutch poem.

“I know, like Thee, how in the days
that quickly pass us by, the anxiety
is great and thousands of questions
are pushing threatening into our lives.
There is no answer to the thoughts
that wander through our thinking brain.
We can expect no answers
that could give us guarantees.
We can but try together
to bear the burden that holds us down
and only self-loathing
rests us when we fail to do so.
It is a duty and not only
because these times demand it,
but also and especially because of Her,
that Woman whom we worry about.
For never let us do forget
that bright spot in our existence.
For you, for me, the powerful knowledge
how proudly they are standing in the breach.
How in their hands is carried high
a burden, never dreamt of by us
before our peaceful, homely life
disappeared from our horizon.
We see their shoulders held up straight
despite the war waged against them
and the language of these women’s eyes
stills our heart and touches deeply.
For by their courageous and hard work
amidst this dire, darkest hour,
they mean to strengthen us as well!
That is powerful, that is great!
Oh, if we would only realise this
and also really comprehend,
then a debt arises
that never can be settled.
Now nothing more does rest us
than do our tasks, small they may be
compared to theirs. Yes, we shall,
we must be worthy of Her.
They ask us not to fail them
whatever life may throw at us.
…that debt, we will have to repay
once we are outside again.
We must give what they ask for
and stay United, Courageous and Faithful.
God, willst Thou support the vigour
of our strong and brave Woman!"

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