River Poem by Gert Vlok Nel

River, o river you're the deepest word that I know
I could navigate by you to the sea & to her in the
hope that I would win her heart,
but desert is the word by which
I must journey to win her heart

Last night I slept in Pretoria
in the wrong city with the wrong woman
which now means that
I must journey to you in the Cape with my
hat in my hand through
the most frightening country o my Darling:
can you hear me there where you're sleeping?

Last night I slept in Bloemfontein
was happy I had got so far in one day was
happy there were still
flowers for hikers to pick (wanted to call you) was
happy love will not pass
me by was happy it's only another 1000 km here from
the Cape

Last night I slept in Colesberg
across from the garage where the prostitutes turned
what the uncles brought around
& hiking back to the Cape in the long
night I saw some
crying I saw others singing maybe about that
mixed feeling that turning around brings

Last night I slept in Beaufort West
in the Wagon Wheel Motel wanted to call you
say that I am dreamless
seamless world-weary & had had enough &
want to come and sleep in your arms forever
like a boat on the bed of the sea

Last night I slept in Beaufort West
Last night I slept in Beaufort West
Last night I slept in Beaufort West

Translation: 2006, Richard Jürgens