Diana van den Berg Poems

I am ashamed
that I cried anguished tears
at the negligent damage
I did to the exhaust pipe
...

Another burglary through the roof
this afternoon
this time across the road
two roads away on Tuesday afternoon
...

Why me?
Why you?
Why us?
Why the wildness
...

Who has as gloriously-scented
a rubbish bin lid as I –
dotted with little yellow fluff-flowers
soaked in God’s honey?
...

If I didn’t know you
I would think you are
just like millions of other men,
but it’s too late for that,
...

Oh, my dear little Podacarpus latifolius,
my broad-leafed yellowwood tree,
you have been monkeyed!
You are growing up
...

Single candle burned staunchly in the crow-wing night.
Wayward wind fluttered to tempt the light.
Candle straight as a dye stood firm and white.
Wind backed off having lost the fight.
...

You are with me
at dawn,
kissing my morning eyes open
with a heartsong touch
...

My name is not Richard
nor is it Jane.
My name is
me
...

I will hold sacred
all of where you are buried
not just the bordered circle
around your tree and flowers
...