In The Night (Old Germanic Ballade) Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Elisabeth Eybers)

Silent, tranquil and cosy my darling lies next to me,
as if she wants to entrusts to me her whole life
and in thoughts there are only moments that are happy
where I look at the peaceful sleep of my dear wife.

What will I from God for her pray
where she goes into life with me in the next day?

What secrets will unfold between the two of us
in the memories of life as we do each other trust?

Where she is wonderful and charming
I realise how I have missed her more than anything.

While the stars shine above us of her love I do know
and I wonder about Your care that come and go?

In the fragile picture that I now take in,
I wonder about our joy and about our sin?

Softly I do feel against my cheek her breath
and I wonder about life and death?

I wonder why life cannot be like this while she is near,
without cares and any kind of fear?

Still I wait where You do reveal Your will,
in a world full of happiness and ill.

Silent, tranquil and cosy my darling lies next to me,
as if she wants to entrusts to me her whole life
and in thoughts there are only moments that are happy
where I look at the peaceful sleep of my dear wife.

My love, at times you do drive me wild
but at night you are pretty and innocent like a child.

[Reference: "Die eerste nag" (The first night)by Elisabeth Eybers.]

© Gert Strydom