Mother (Sonnet) Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Elisabeth Eybers)

Mother, to you I could always escape
as you do understand the human being that I am
and my spirit is constantly free
while the world goes on in its desolation.
I have never been scared
have exorcised all things that are evil with prayers
but in my earthly stumbling gait
in my years of maturity you did rescue me.
Before your true heart every glance of suspicion does disappear
while you do support my scouting journey of poetry
as my truest buttress in the stormy night and in the sunshine,
in your days of old age I can still find support on your shoulders
while I am trusting and believing in the omnipotence of God,
do still wait on the time of my salvation.

[Reference: "Terugblik" (Survey of the past) by Elisabeth Eybers.]