Soirée At The Hap Poem by Gert Strydom

Mandi is playing the piano,
a light breeze sways table cloths
and softly Piet, Jan and André laugh
before one of the poets realize

that he has to read his poems next
while a spotlight comes on
and Ian somewhat hoarsely talks
at the opening on the small stage.

Glittering are glasses full of wine
in the romantic soft light
of many small candles
and I enjoy poem after poem.

A guest artist sings an old song
about Lilly Marlene loosing her lover
that brings some memories back
and her voice is intimate, soft and pretty on the ear.


[Reference: HAP: The Home of Afrikaans Poetry in Capital Park, Pretoria.]