Drought [2] Poem by Gert Strydom

Right across the veldt the grass is dried out
and it seems as if every bush and tree is stripped of leaves,
almost everything under the eye.

People know that all things come from God's hand, do gather in towns
do come to God in their despair
where they do claim man's dependence on God.

Whirling winds blow red dust clouds high,
the sky stays blue and all clouds are missing.
Right across the veldt the grass is dried out

when farmers ask for rain in God's name,
even the wealthiest people do pray
do come to God in their despair,

to elevate Him to the owner of their lives,
some people see the drought as a punishment,
almost everything under the eye.

When atheists do sit in bars,
it's stifling hot the sky is covered,
even the wealthiest people do pray

in the distance a rainbow does appear
and suddenly it does get a new meaning.
Right across the veldt the grass is dried out

when a tremendous rainstorm does fall,
the thirsty red dust does rise with the great drops.
It's stifling hot the sky is covered,

more water pours down than what the farmers do need,
water do flow further than in anyone's knowledge,
almost everything under the eye

is overnight knee high with green grass
as if a new spring has come
the thirsty red dust does rise with the great drops.

and wild birds do turn rejoicing in a circling flight
where they soar in a joyful event.
Right across the veldt the grass is dried out,
almost everything under the eye

are soaked with pouring rain,
people know that all things comes from God's hand do gather in towns
as if a new spring has come
where they do claim man's dependence on God.