At The Grave Of Guido Gezelle (Refrain Stanza) Poem by Gert Strydom

The poet that although trampled upon did dedicate himself to God I do see
the words of his "het schrijverke" stays with me
in the city dreams and prosperity and success everywhere is celebrated
but as a poet in his own time Guido Gezelle will stay humiliated
in Bruges full of canals and church-towers the spring is in every tree
I am alone at his grave's marble-stone, cars drive past in the street
I think of this poet's struggle feel alone although I do people meet,
after his death his poetry only came to reality,
the words of his "het schrijverke" stays with me.

[Poet's note:

Just a few lines from "Het schrijverke" by Guido Gezelle about the water beetle:
"O krinklende windklende waterding…
wij schrijven, herschrijven
den heiligen Name van God! "

My free translation from the Dutch:

"Oh winding twisting water-thing…
you write, rewrite
the holy Names of God! "]

© Gert Strydom