Without You (Couplets) Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Hermann Hesse)

The empty pillow is undisturbed and white
and as if searching of you there is no sight

something tells me you are dreaming beware,
I pinch myself, did not for a divorce prepare.

Outside the amber streetlight shines bright,
inside the empty room only has moonlight

where without you loneliness is everywhere
and with longing I miss you and do care.

It must be a very horrible kind of dream
as I reach for you nowhere near you seem,

Startled for you I do around me half awake reach
and alone we are that this moment each to each,

on my face past the lace-curtain is only a moonbeam
but against the white wall shadows strange seem.

Now totally awake silently everything is very dark
there is not even a car moving or a dog that bark

It's so horrid to be without you,
not to kiss your lips that is hot and true,

not against my face to feel your blonde hair
and in the room is only an empty chair

where now painful is every other breathe
and with the emptiness worse than lurking death

unknown feels every single heartbeat
where I do not know when I will you again meet.

I never knew how empty life would be without you,
or how meaningless would be the things that I do.

Poet's note: 'Ohne Dich' by Hermann Hesse.]
© Gert Strydom