In Times As These (Couplets) Poem by Gert Strydom

(for Annelize)

In times as these we are living in,
we notice the effects of sin:

today for the Ukraine and you and me I pray,
pray for God to be present on every day,

while to conquer and take is in the heart of man,
and just to survive Ukrainians do all they can.

Away from all of this you and I live in tranquillity,
and at heart you are more than dear to me:

you inner and outer beauty fills my mind,
while to the broken you wish men to be kind

as silently for the war-ravaged tears flow
and when this war will end no one does know,

but I know how much I do you miss.
In a troublesome time as this,

where my heart, soul and mind you do understand,
even when things do not work out as we planned:

with sincerity I do want to love you,
be present in all the things you do.