I Am Thinking You Tonight* Poem by Gert Strydom

(for Annelize)

I walked outside in the dim twilight,
came up to the gleaming neon sign
of the Pick n Pay supermarket, it was over-crowded
and to your presence my imagination gave flight,
maybe as part of my heart's or a Godly design
that to me is clear but to others shrouded.

I was hungry and smelled freshly baked bread rolls,
saw you stroll down isles intended on shopping,
you passed husbands, wives and children.
Your grandson walked up to toy cars and dolls,
intent you took fruit, were here and there stopping,
never at your true beauty noticed the gazing men.

Your voice was sweet in my ears as you asked for fruitcake,
I wandered past shelves with tomato-sauce and chutney,
the store detective started to follow you,
I saw you some chilled delicacies take,
I imagined that now together you walked with me,
smiling touched me as a wife to a husband do.

Back in reality, solitary I bought needed groceries,
people around me wore masks in a futuristic time,
yet far too near to me people crowded without fear,
I did not even stop at any of the delicacies
at the entrance hands were sanitised, (as if germs were grime) ,
yet in my imaginations your voice I did hear

and we walked past houses and shiny cars,
in a country torn apart, my South Africa, beloved and lost,
the dogs barked and howled happily as at home we drew near,
above us the sky was brightly shining with stars,
your presence was precious, you love without cost
and you were my own and to me more than just dear.
© Gert Strydom