Military Service (Refrain Stanza) Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Daniel Hugo)

Breyten Breytenbach writes on his cell's wall
and on paper: Help! Where a person feels small.
The same message echoes in my heart
where for a military camp with normal life I have to part,
(I wonder if that poor man did to he knees fall)
while in my thirties I still have to go back to the army
as if from the military I would never be free,
my letters to my love are censured purple through all
and on paper: Help! Where a person feels small.

[Reference:"Diensplig" (Military Service)by Daniel Hugo. Poet's note:It was termed a military camp but male citizens (who were previously trained)were called up, (for up to four months a year)back into the army from their normal careers to be exercised in and sent back into war or to whatever duty the South African Defence Force deemed them to fulfil.]