We Found A New Religion Poem by Gert Strydom

We had our own suite
at Alpine Heath
in one of the villas
of that great hotel
on our honeymoon

and it was only
you and me
and the big bed
in the room upstairs.

We didn’t even watch
DSTV, although we could
and we loved
every moment there.

At times we ate in the hotel
and I had fresh trout
and you loved roasted chicken

or made our own dinner
and had lots of champagne
and some white wine

and slices of bread and cheese
for our own communion
or holy union.

That winter had icy snow
(a first for you)
and what shelter did we find
in each other’s arms.

Sometimes we walked
up to the waterfall
jumping from rock to rock
where you swam naked
in the stream

and we began to dream
and started our own religion,
a new fundamentalist faith
believing in each other
and the magic
of bodies joining together.

We secluded our selves
and being remote
from everyone
played in the light and darkness
deep into the night.

Revival of body, spirit and soul
brought us to our knees in passion
and I believed in your love
experienced something
close to the divine
while you were truly mine.