Gert Strydom Poems

On the carnations that are yellow, red and white
like sparkling diamonds hang drops of dew
and the garden draws attention as if it's new
while the flowers in it are for people a tranquil sight,
...

Some young calves jump to and thro
and the Frisians are black and white where around me they go,
big-eyed cattle that chew the cud I do see
where in tranquillity they do look upon me
...

(for Annelize)

With a flood the streamlet swell
where it meanders in the dell
...

You are the source from where all things come
earth, you are our eternal great planet home,
one day I will be of you a part
when in you I lie in my flesh, bones and heart
...

In the veldt the sight of a rusty bucket did me hit,
I thought that beautiful geraniums could come into it
where open mouthed in the sun's heat it did gape
for a flowerpot to me it was the right shape
...

(for Annelize)

From a photo I tried to draw your lovely smiling face
I was scared that in my memories you are without a trace
...

From Denmark came the redheaded beauty
that did draw the attention of many men in the Cape
and I would have loved to meet her
as a really brave woman is remembered.
...

Of a leopard that pounced upon my great-grandfather as a beast from hell
my mother did many true hair-raising stories to us as children tell,
how with a mere folding knife he did loose fingers but did it overcome,
the old people believed of witchcraft at the swamp and it was gruesome,
...

(for Annelize)

It is a bright beautiful summer day
but my love is a thousand miles away
...

She who begs a boon like a maiden do glow
while dancing she does before the king turn
and in his heart his lust for her does burn
he promises anything on her to bestow
...