Gert Strydom Poems

As something in the being, in the soul and spirit,
a person is sometimes chosen to carry light:
a presence that comes without a person asking for it,
people want to take it: want it to be their own,
...

I have been studying how Russia treats its military:
on a mobile phone a soldier tells his mother:
'There is a dead body here and they do not bother, '
recruits do total decimation as canon-fodder see.
...

(for Annelize)

In days that are grey and dark
you still remain in my most lovely memories,
...

A Russian soldier lobs a hand-grenade
into the front door of that beautiful house.
Russians enter the house full of hatred,
drag and shoot Oleg before their questions begin:
...

(for Annelize)

When in a moment love is eternal
it gives light to the darkness of the world,
...

On the white beach I see you kneel and pray
and I wonder what you are asking from God, who is omnipotent,
across the water the hot sun gleams white
and it's as if your sincere prayer has power.
...

(for Annelize, in answer to Lucia Welz)

There lies as world between then and now
where I now look at your photographs,
...

I notice little Christina sitting on a coach
with her cat Sonya in her arms,
the cat has green eyes and is brown and white
and something draws me to look closer:
...

(for Annelize, in answer to Elisabeth Eybers)

Next to the lake we are in each other's arms
and there it reflects images of you and me,
...

(for Annelize)

In my mind's-eye you were with me
in the late afternoon at the marsh full of reeds,
...