Reconnoitre Expeditions (In Answer To Johan Myburg) Poem by Gert Strydom

The time for reconnoitre expeditions
to icy remote places, to the highest peaks
and the to the depths of the primeval forests
are archaic and past.

The time for reconnoitre expeditions
to neighbouring countries
where military fighting was present
are seen by some
as vague legends and vague victories

where every moment could hold death
but any facts about those discovery expeditions,
reconnoitre of the inhospitable wilderness,
discovery of battle tanks, armoured cars,
helicopters that buzzed along like beetles
and the military action that followed
are avoided in this time of peace

and all that remains
is to climb to the peaks of the wind
with a oxygen mask;
to jump from very high
into the blue space
or with similar breathing apparatus
to explore and discover
the depths of the ocean.