Early Spring Poem by Gert Strydom

Lord God, can we ask for your presence,
for a sign of your grace
and let your rain, sun and wind contribute

to the wonder of the coming summer
in the decoration of colours from your hand
and let grass, leaves and flowers now appear

and where it is rather dry,
hear my lament.
Lord God, can we ask for your presence,

for birds to whistle in tree branches,
singing songs about the growth that you bring
in the decoration of colours from your hand

that all flowers that this spring brings
becomes a sign, that you still guard us against evil
and let your rain, sun and wind contribute

to new life that appears,
let even my own conceit die, that my life
sing songs about the growth that you bring

and let me act to your will
and remove all inequity, all damage.
Lord God, can we ask for your presence,

that I always keep my eyes on you elevated high,
that the mistakes of my youth disappear
and remove my inequity, that my life

can become aimed to where you lead, bringing your love across
that I glitter like a light, a star in your Pleiades
let your rain, sun and wind contribute

that my life can shine bright for you,
and others can see your character in me,
that the mistakes of my youth disappear

that every word and deed from me represents your great love
to the whole of humanity, my children and wife.
Lord God, can we ask for your presence,
and let your rain, sun and wind contribute

that everyone can know what a wonderful God I serve,
to the wonder of the coming summer,
and others can see your character in me,
and let grass, leaves and flowers now appear.



[Reference: Vroegherfs (Early Autumn) by NP van Wyk Louw.]