If Only We* Poem by Gert Strydom

(for Annelize, in answer to Marija Najthefer Popov)

If only we could hold back time:
when we were young and beautiful and fair,
could live life each day with the same vigour,
what a different world this could be.
But to each one of us age is the harsh reality,
that all things in life run down forever more,
and yet true beauty is from the heart, if we do really care,
and this is just a simple rhyme:

for when you were truly lovely.

[Reference: "Come get me tonight" by Marija Najthefer Popov

I quote Marija Najthefer Popov's lovely poem here, as it was translated by Facebook:


"Come get me tonight" by Marija Najthefer Popov

"Come get me tonight
When the owls fall asleep
And the moon falls asleep,
When the stars fall from the sky
One by one
In my eyes
And it shines for you instead of a lantern
That you can come to me
Without much wandering
That's how I can help you
And touch the moss
Adjust the compass on the side
Deep in the forest of darkness
And creepy displays
There in a bush
In the wilderness and thorns
Shackled by fear
And the hopelessness of foreboding
I'm waiting for you and I'm shaking
Your glow is stronger
From the glow of tired stars
What's worse in my eyes
My white road turned blue
From cold fears
And your glow wears shackles
Carries redemption from nature
I want you too
I want to stay my own
If I stay my own
Without you, I will soar to heaven
If I give myself to you, you will put white silk on me
As a prisoner
From which there is no freedom
To the bride in heaven
To make weddings."]
© Gert Strydom