Gert Strydom Poems

1
Without you life is just an empty place,
with dark clouds that covers the sky
where I live in a moment in time and space.
...

My Lord, You turn my life around
when shadows do me befall
and You do put my feet on solid ground
when demons and darkness do on me call
...

(after John Milton)

In great tranquillity to my delight,
I thought I saw an angel, my wife, a Saint
...

My life with you lies in pieces
of that, that I thought was love.
In thoughts now impressions remain:
things now so without meaning.
...

1
When I found myself again all my possessions are loaded off,
where your children on command carry my things into a place,
as if you turn your back on me and on our life together
...

Free from the nightly gambol and drinking of the neighbours
it's from Petersfield extension one that I drive away,
almost as if for that Jericho the shofars are already blowing
and you think that for a time you can put our marriage on hold,
...

(after H. J. Pieterse)

You planted some more dahlias with mine and they are beautiful,
you tell me just after the removal of my furniture from our home.
...

(after Ingrid Jonker)

In this piercing umbrella-thorn bush
you left me behind with a marriage put on hold
...

(in answer to S. Ign Mocke)

During the night you laid in my arms,
the stars appeared and went on their way
...

There are woodpeckers and barbets knocking on the window,
at mere crumbs birds peck on the ground
and it's as if each one calls happy to me,
a swarm of doves flutter down
...