Seeking My Demise [rev.] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Sitting amongst a Calvinistic work force in the
translation section - receiving mind vibrations
of workmates shaking their heads on learning
its my duty to translate a ‘Manual For Access
To Information' into Afrikaans

I'm shell-shocked, not my field of expertise, I
abhor boring legal admin procedure intensely,
this is my ticket to hell, the descent to a depth
of despair that has never been reached by a
human being; maybe if I embrace darkness

Learn how to bear my cross it can become a
spiritual journey - a Pilgrim's Progress to be
completed in sorrow; - every sweet word can
be interpreted a multitude of ways - but only
ONE term is right, the Afrikaans language is

All rules & tightened corsets pressing the life
out of you; already my breathing is affected -
hives & swollen glands on the way, how am
I to be grateful for love's painful labour to a
maternal language personified in Demons

seeking my demise, plotting my end?

[11 August 2014]