Gert Strydom Poems

(after Daniel Hugo)

Breyten Breytenbach writes on his cell's wall
and on paper: Help! Where a person feels small.
...

For two years I have to bend myself to other's will
and the days in hot pursuit of terrorists remain with me still,
we are at a laughable wage send to war
where life can last for only seconds more,
...

(for Annelize)

We do live our lives so very discreet
yet my heart is filled with thoughts of you
...

When you are inside a church
everyone there is in an own world,
while even whispers can be heard.
People may think that the church
...

a person does not need icons
of saints, prophets and apostles,
or burning candles or figures
or even a big old cathedral
...

(for Annelize)

Wordless your eyes will feast upon my face
for silent moments we will each other embrace
...

I think back to a childhood day,
I see the thunder branching in its brilliant ray
before it bashes down blue-white
and in the rain the dirt track is a sight,
...

I caught crabs where in the farm-dam they did in hiding lie,
a swarm of coots hanged screeching in the sky,
bright on the water the afternoon-sun did gleam
and when I got out on a rock anything did possible seem,
...

(for Annelize)

From the depth of my heart I do you truly know,
the people that do you slander I want to smother,
...

(after I. D. du Plessis, in answer to N. P. van Wyk Louw)

Motionless like skeletons the branches hang stripped, the summer is past,
the air is stuffy and the clouds are grey and black and heavy,
...