Gert Strydom Poems

Where tiles and the roof meet each other
they did build a nest from grains of mud
to hold the small ones safe
and with the neat building work I am astonished
...

I notice the mechanical chisels jerking the road to pieces,
how the foreman pushes a hand under his helmet
then with a frown does look at a watch on his arm,
do roar out a command and the workers do smile from happiness
...

(for Annelize)

To me your name is almost holy
as if it has a very deep meaning,
...

In its age old sinful writing
as far as he goes,
his marks are carved into the sand
which he leaves just where he goes,
...

I ask that You do hold Your hand daily over me
where I string through the streets of the city behind other cars,
when minibus taxis try to run me off the road
and angry motorists do hang out of windows to curse,
...

(after Eugene Marais)

Leafless like skeletons stand trees
everywhere in a multitude filling the veldt,
...

(for Annelize)

In a night where thunder-flashes do come down
you are astonished with this kind of weather in the Cape,
...

In the sea of life we are blessed with individuality
and yet in all of this we yearn for company
for someone to love, to trust and admire
as to our same-self we are set with a personality
...

(In answer to A. G. Visser)

Speechless is creation
when weeds do luxuriant usurp it,
...

(for Annelize)

I have been captured in you
and when I do miss you with pain,
...