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Gert Strydom, 28 stycznia 2013
Outside the wind did blow
Outside the wind did blow
while the first blossoms of spring did appear
and I could swear
that there was a whispering,
a kind of message from you
and the stars glittered like your eyes
as if they like you
were looking at me in love.
Gert Strydom, 21 stycznia 2013
There is a kind of love that I do not really understand
There is a kind of love that I do not really understand
and when my thoughts go to the bible story
then I wonder in my own sinful human nature
how an almighty God comes to a word of fear?
Through the ages the hammer blows keeps ringing
as man did crucify the God of the universe
who did not keep them that murdered Him accountable
as darkness and sorrow came over the earth
and when even an idol worshiper out of the Roman legion
realised that it was the son of God and reconciled himself with the Lord
a price was paid in unmentionable love
and this pain and sorrow keeps lingering in my thoughts.
When the world looks threatening and terrible
I still see His eyes looking in love from the cross.
Gert Strydom, 18 października 2012
Early in the morning to each other the doves do sing (Persian / Rubiyat quatrain)
Early in the morning to each other the doves do sing
and it feels as if something great is happening
on this glorious day,
on this new morning in spring.
Gert Strydom, 22 stycznia 2013
The heart of a human is a strange thing
The heart of a human is a strange thing,
it’s a place that words and deeds do penetrate
or to some only a pumping station for blood
but still love can let it sing without words
and now I wonder what to do with you?
Will I be able to disappear into your depths?
Will I eternally anchor to who and what you are?
Will I trust you to keep all of my secrets?
That something deeper is present than any words can say
is constantly clear to me when your hand lies in mine
and if this thing is love that binds me to you
then I would never want it any different.
and to laugh and cry with you,
to hide against the rough world at your side
seems to me like how things should be
when we love each in innocence without fear.
Gert Strydom, 28 czerwca 2012
On the open plain (Catena Rondo)
Some flowers rise up bright from tiny seeds,
blooms appear with heads searching for the sun;
on this earth so it’s been since time begun,
some flowers rise up bright from tiny seeds,
blooms appear with heads searching for the sun
they rejoice over a day that is new
are fresh with the glistening morning dew;
blooms appear with heads searching for the sun
they rejoice over a day that is new
as bees and butterflies flutter along
birds do sing the happiest kind of song
they rejoice over a day that is new,
as bees and butterflies flutter along
wild deer graze at the soft tender green grass
while they in massive herds do slowly pass
as bees and butterflies flutter along
wild deer graze at the soft tender green grass
some flowers rise up bright from tiny seeds
grow to strength in a world full of big weeds,
wild deer graze at the soft tender green grass,
some flowers rise up bright from tiny seeds,
blooms appear with heads searching for the sun;
on this earth so it’s been since time begun,
some flowers rise up bright from tiny seeds.
Gert Strydom, 23 stycznia 2013
Epitaph of a tyrant
Perfection he was after
but in his paintings,
there was none of it
just the lines of a third rate artist
and the human spirit, the minds
the heart of man
he new better than most
and talked and talked
and when he spoke
he dazzled them
and when the corporal
suddenly outranked every general
as commander of them all
swift action did he take
to conquer the whole of Europe
to send a superior air force,
his battle tanks out in a quick strike
even to venture as far
as the depths of Russia
and he held every single Jewish person
accountable for all errors of the past,
killing most of them
including men, women, children and babies
thinking that he could build a empire
that could last and last
and the poetry he invented
was brute force, by the barrel of a gun
and any manner of death and then some
but as with all tyrants
his end did come
and with his own hand
he killed his dog, his wife and took his own life.
Gert Strydom, 26 czerwca 2012
Church Street, Pretoria
Right down the street the traffic lights are green
and a couple of homeless men stand around a fire
in a half drum and ambulances and police cars scream
while they past rows and rows of flats for hire
and a couple of kids stand smoking at the stream
and this is reality, the heart of the city.
On the sidewalk pedestrians walk in crowds of men,
women and some children, some booted up to the knee
others with mini skirts short enough to condemn them
and my city stays lovely to me.
People queue for fried chicken, fish
and chips at shops and cafés and the smells fill my nose
and tomatoes and onions, lamb and steak are fried with a hiss
and in the traffic an angry speed-cop tries to retain his pose
when a minibus taxi almost runs him over, gives him a fright
at a flickering traffic light
and cars stream by into the coming night.
Gert Strydom, 31 stycznia 2013
A clear sweet voice
When I first heard your voice,
in it there was something incredulous pure
a kind of serene beauty that one expects
at the heavenly court
and nowhere else to hear
as if the war had for a time stopped
between armies of angels
and legions of demons
while they all listened in awe
and even nature was stunned at the sound of it.
Gert Strydom, 31 stycznia 2013
There are drops of rain
There are drops of rain
dropping and they are dancing,
on the outside of my windowpane
they are spluttering
falling, falling in a great shower
and outside everything is wet and gleaming
while lightning bashes down with great power
and everywhere there is water streaming
and here in the cosy comfort of the bed
away is the weariness of the week,
while you breath brushes against my cheek
your lips are slightly open and red
and I wonder if why other moments are not like this,
when everything is perfect in the way that it is.
Gert Strydom, 22 czerwca 2012
There are only eyes appearing above the surface
There are only eyes appearing above the surface
in the brown water of the river’s pool
before they again disappear without a trace.
There are only eyes appearing above the surface
when it notices a prey, are covered by the water-curtain
where the crocodile hides in the depths of the river,
there are only eyes appearing above the surface
in the brown water of the river’s pool.
Gert Strydom, 22 czerwca 2012
The goshawk
The turning hawk suddenly breaks its flight
with claws stretched out,
it falls like thunder from the sky.
The turning hawk suddenly breaks its flight
and even when its prey is anxious
.it falls as if it is drawing into the earth;
the turning hawk suddenly breaks its flight,
with claws stretched out.
Gert Strydom, 28 stycznia 2013
While picking a rose
While picking a rose
you are for moments astonished
in wonder over the colour,
the beauty and the soft fragrance
but a small thorn catches you,
leaves a small dot of blood at your wrist
and you cut off some more roses
that you do arrange
and push into a vase in the front room
and while you are caught thought-struck
you look lovely, you do look wonderful.
Gert Strydom, 22 stycznia 2013
A New Year prayer
(after C. Louis Leipoldt)
Lord, when the last hour of the year leaves me
then I ask love and mercy from You
and sometimes in this life I am astonished and dumbfounded
but at times left behind by friends and loved ones
and when the last minute of the year disappears
then I want to think back to times where I could find moments of happiness
and when life wants to press me down I stand before you like a child,
while I trust in hope on the new tomorrow’s sunshine.
Give me a disposition that forgives and do forget,
help me to stay true to You, to my wife and to my country,
to stand free from self-exaltation and any hypocrisy
and to really know about the depth of love.
Help me to live for more than own enrichment,
to pursue the struggle for everything that is right
and bring on my life’s way daily new meaning,
teach me to constantly discover your truths,
to live only to Your will in my humanity
and I beg that you lead on the way,
that You do fill each day with new hope
become a part of my reality
and when the dark days comes suddenly
then I ask that You become the light on my way
and when I do deviate I ask that You bring me back to equilibrium
unto the last days of old age.
[Reference: “’n Kersnaggebed” (A Christmas night prayer) by C. Louis Leipoldt.]
Gert Strydom, 3 lipca 2012
While I am still far over the hill
When life takes me
over ghastly paths with a precipice
I want to stray into the darkness
but still your heaven is stretched out blue over me,
with the sun burning intense warm white
and I look at the moon where it’s high,
or low in a variety of
yellow, white and even silver colours
and when the wind rises cruelly to devour me
You are always there with arms wide open,
like a father coming to the rescue,
who is already running
while I am still far over the hill.
Gert Strydom, 21 stycznia 2013
A picture lingers with me
A picture lingers with me
of God hanging as a man on the cross,
of Mary standing dumfounded nearby
and mere humans mocking Him about His powerlessness
when the bright day fled into the night,
when God himself paid a sacrifice for the human existence
and this scene remains in my mind
and to me its reality, not just only a very old story.
Gert Strydom, 1 lutego 2013
Woman with the cello (in answer to Johann Johl)
Next to an apple tree at a crossroad
a woman plays a song of love
which is swept away by the wind,
as she plays a cello at her thigh
the wind blows swishing past and she is alone
and wonders when spring will come
with the apple tree blooming again
and half-blinded she plays
with her heart that she pours into the song.
Three howling foxes are caught by the melody
and they linger as if they are hanging onto the tune
while she plays with deep a deep kind of longing.
[References: Painting: “Woman with the cello and foxes” by Andrzej Busza. Gedig: “Vrou met tjello en jakkalse” (Woman with the cello and foxes) by Johann Johl.]
Gert Strydom, 28 stycznia 2013
On the veranda the evening did suddenly come
On the veranda the evening did suddenly come,
the twilight did turn to grey
before the stars broke out and filled the heaven
and slowly you fell asleep
while your eyes at times
like butterflies did flutter.
Your breath was hot against my cheek
while I carried you to the bedroom,
and just half-awake
in whispering words
you did further dream.
Gert Strydom, 25 czerwca 2012
You fit perfectly into my life (sonnet)
You fit perfectly into my life
I feel your steps where ever I go,
I even see your reflection in the glass
without it betraying your presence
and the times that we laugh together
now are happening more and more;
as if our humanity waits on each other
fragments of current events stay lingering,
as if you are the light in my life
I search for signs in the Milky Way,
in human recollections and even in memories
to find why you are know, but without explanation
of this connection between us,
that only draws us tighter together.
Gert Strydom, 18 stycznia 2013
Design (saraband)
I saw a big brown barn owl
only the fluttering of wings
without any sound or howl
falling right out of the black sky
quickly swooping up a grey mouse
while at great speed it passed by
nearer to the barn than the house
in the early dark morning light
it hovered at the right height,
it whooshed away in its flight.
What brought the owl on the right track,
in its struggle for existing
gave the mouse no time to flee back
if not design in each living thing?
Gert Strydom, 2 października 2012
I love you (villanelle)
(after Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
I love you with feelings that are true and right,
as our relationship has come with Godly grace,
I do love you through every day and night,
even when times of joy are far from sight
as you make this earth a heavenly place.
I love you with feelings that are true and right,
while I long to be to you the companion that I might
as the depth of our feelings are sometimes without a trace,
I do love you through every day and night,
while you draw me nearer to the Godly light
and onward daily our lives do constantly race.
I love you with feelings that are true and right,
with gentleness, without any fear and fright
although my childish ways might be commonplace
I do love you through every day and night.
Even if for you I have got struggle and fight
have got to face the most dangerous menace;
I love you with feelings that are true and right,
I do love you through every day and night.
[Reference: “XLIII” “How do I love thee? Let me count the ways”]
Gert Strydom, 3 lutego 2012
How do I love you? (cavatina)
(after Elizabeth Barrett Browning)
In every day’s longing, in the sheer need
of how life is,
when feelings are totally out of sight,
in each sweet kiss,
in my childish kind of lingering faith,
you bring me bliss
and to the depths of my soul I love you
in everything that is good, noble and true.
[Reference: “How Do I Love Thee?” by Elizabeth Barrett Browning.]
Gert Strydom, 1 lutego 2012
On military leave during war (cavatina)
Stepping out of the train life seems quite strange;
another track
brings more happy shouting busy people;
to turn right back
to how life had once been is impossible,
under attack
he feels a stranger to his loving wife
as if he is dead while he is alive.
Gert Strydom, 31 stycznia 2012
Hovering I saw a redbreast and a wren (roundelay)
Hovering I saw a redbreast and a wren,
who were both very scared of men
and to me both birds had some lovely charm,
as innocents to which I meant no harm.
Fluttering some cooing wild doves came down
making my small garden their very own
some pecked bread or landed on my arm,
as innocents to which I meant no harm.
Pecking some hoopoes landed in my yard
and the two of them was never apart,
fleeing in their scared heart throbbing alarm
as innocents to which I meant no harm.
Gert Strydom, 30 stycznia 2012
On an army of rebelling mercenaries (rondel) (in answer to A.E. Housman)
Those rebels wanting heaven to be falling,
who before Michael and his forces fled;
had a demonic, destructive calling
and by there wages are worse than dead;
on earth their actions are still appalling
as they only bring some sorrow and dread.
Those rebels wanting heaven to be falling
who before Michael and his forces fled,
are trying almost everything to be stalling
as their corruption and evil they spread;
the high heaven they are still recalling
as to utter destruction they do head;
those rebels wanting heaven to be falling.
[Reference: “Epitaph on an Army of Mercenaries” by A. E. Housman.]
Gert Strydom, 7 lutego 2012
My redeemer, advocate and father (cavatina)
My redeemer, advocate and father
and my true friend
walks every day through trouble at my side.
When I am spend,
He gives me the power to persevere
right to the end;
His power nothing can ever remove
and in Him are all my faith, joy and love.
Gert Strydom, 2 lutego 2012
I know the harsh wilderness (roundelay)
I know the harsh wilderness, the wild veldt,
the craggy hillocks I had at times beheld,
the wide open scorching cobalt-blue sky
but the tranquillity I cannot deny.
There are some aloes growing in the crags
their orange-red flowers waving like flags,
like old spots of blood dotted on the eye
but the tranquillity I cannot deny.
Sugar-bush and medlar in spring does flower,
while grass jumps knee-high after each shower,
up in the air falcons and eagles do fly
but the tranquillity I cannot deny.
Time has not influence on this rugged land
where high cliffs are between the grass and sand,
I had seen rock-rabbits run at a single cry
but the tranquillity I cannot deny.
Gert Strydom, 19 stycznia 2012
From the holy fire that should never die (rondine)
From the holy fire that should never die
men were send to sabotage, maim and kill
to poison, plant landmines with a deadly skill
until flaming rockets fell out of the sky,
rising up did burning wood and ashes fly
that made the glowing embers move and spill
from the holy fire.
Armed soldiers were not just driving by,
armoured cars came roaring over the hill,
screaming death until everything was still
burnt out did the last old white embers lie,
from the holy fire.
Gert Strydom, 20 stycznia 2012
When I love my worlds starts to stagger
When I love my worlds starts to stagger,
when your depths enclose me shuddering
then I want to go deeper, do not want to escape,
when I love my worlds starts to stagger
when your depths enclose me shuddering
all other things suddenly want to fade,
when I suddenly dare to enter a new universe,
when your depths enclose me shuddering
all other things suddenly want to fade,
I do not worry about persons drowning,
if meteorites fall upon the earth,
all other things suddenly want to fade,
I do not worry about persons drowning,
when I love my worlds starts to stagger
I find myself in another outside world
I do not worry about persons drowning,
when I love my worlds starts to stagger
when your depths enclose me shuddering
then I want to go deeper, do not want to escape,
when I love my worlds starts to stagger.
Gert Strydom, 2 stycznia 2012
At Headquarters
It’s a evening in the week and the bar is packed,
while rain sieves down from a pitch black sky
with white lightning flashes streaking down
every now and then sounding as a growling monster.
Two half drunk yuppies raise their draughts
clinking the mugs before knocking each other around
bruising each other’s arms with a couple of blows
and going to the counter to fetch some more beer.
A couple of musclemen circle the pool table
shooting the billiard balls into the pockets
and one curses when he misses
and it’s the turn of one of the others.
A couple of girl’s are playing
at the gambling machines inserting coins
and pulling levers and when one hits a jackpot
the lot of them are cheering, sounding like choir.
There are puddles of water at the door
and the yellow and green neon light flashes outside
while a black and white cat sneaks around
among the parked cars
undisturbed by the human laughter,
the ruckus of partying people
and it finds shelter against a wall
when the rains starts pouring down again.
Gert Strydom, 2 stycznia 2012
Damocles
I am contended with being the courtier
of great Dionysius,
ruler of Syracuse
and with my solitude
and the glory of God and king
hunger, war, poverty
and natural catastrophe
has avoided me
but when talking out of turn
of the joy, grandeur and luxury
that my Sire enjoys
he invited me as an honoured guest
to a great party
and a banquet table was set
with the best food
that any man could desire
and charming beautiful maids
were serving, as if I were the king
and something strange was happening.
My eye caught a light reflected
on the silver wine cup
and when I looked up
a piercing sharp sword
swayed on the slight breeze
hanging on a single horsehair
above my head
and then I knew dread.
Gert Strydom, 12 stycznia 2012
In far too many numbers they rise (in answer to Maya Angelou)
There are many facts in history
of people both ignorant and wise;
at times I look with incredulity
at how people multiply to rise
having as many children as they can do,
with diarrhoea, living in gloom,
with blown up bellies where food run through,
living in the very red-brown dirt in doom
without a look of hope in their eyes
where president-for-life dictators govern
with an iron rod, not hearing weakened cries,
while for civilization, for food they yearn;
where platinum, gold and copper mines
are sold to the Chinese, are from the country apart,
while parts of Africa goes into total decline
and to make a living is extremely hard.
Does this poem of mine offend you?
Unfortunately I do not deal in lies,
unfortunately these facts are very true
and to some people it’s no surprise
as AIDS, poverty, pestilence runs as a black tide
that comes in unstoppable waves of pain
form which very few of the poorest people can hide,
as far too many deaths happen again and again
and from this destruction very few get clear
while for something better they constantly crave
as their daily lives are always lived in fear,
as far too many go to a very early grave.
Still people multiply to rise under blue harsh skies
in far too many numbers, to never be free,
from lives that many of them do despise,
from lives lived in constant poverty.
[Reference: “Still I Rise” by Maya Angelou.]
Gert Strydom, 25 stycznia 2012
Thunder (cinquain)
Thunder;
blue-white energy
flashing downward sizzling,
frightens everyone of blazing
flashes.
Gert Strydom, 16 stycznia 2012
God have pity (roundel)
In the winter wind, death is at the window,
to the homeless its is very unkind
while its blowing blizzards of snow.
In the winter wind
it gathers whatever it can freezing find;
God have pity on them whom it blows,
even on animals that man has left behind,
when no humanity does somewhere glow,
when no bonds does men to each other bind
and unheard tears do only freezing flow
in the winter wind.
Gert Strydom, 17 stycznia 2012
Of winged things (Corona of wreathed quatrains)
I. A yellow weaver
Time and again I see it fluttering
a small thing on the gate of the driveway
each day stretching, shaking its tiny wings,
while it sings, it’s as if I see it play
to portray a game that just weavers knows,
as the breeze blows it is twittering,
with feathers shining, quickly out it throws
in a own show paws and beak and its wing;
delighting with feathers yellow and sleek
somewhat meek I see it with colours shining,
with dogs wining giving me a small peek,
in the week I hear a pretty bird sing.
II. A black-collard barbet
During the week I hear a pretty bird sing
joy it brings to my old stuffy study
joy of being free, right where it’s sitting,
it sings as if it is singing only to me
very sublimely it visits me daily
in pure glee with a voice quite startling,
it sings from early light happy and gaily,
in beauty the notes keeps on ringing,
something happens and one day it is gone,
it moves on and I watch until darkness;
missing its kindness, I am the only one,
on a stone it’s out in the wilderness.
III. A thrush
To bless it is out in the wilderness
displaying goodness far from its own nest
singing at its best in pure happiness
without distress far away from the rest;
very modest I came upon a thrush
in the bush blessing me totally profound,
I did it found, in the veldt, deep into the brush,
in a holy hush I heard the loveliest sound
of unbound glory somewhere on a branch,
nothing could enhance its beauty on the eye
it was shy as on it I did then glance;
by mere chance, I heard a jubilant cry.
IV. A singing falcon
As I passed by, I heard a jubilant cry,
I felt as if I was very unworthy
in serenity it was ringing from the sky,
where high up it did fly and came to me.
Quite free I saw a forlorn bird trembling
a shadowing spectre against the blue,
reflecting its hue, it was again singing;
on a wing notes of its clear voice were true.
The sound did subdue, it was wavering,
becoming a small thing by its own choice,
it had poise with the high hill answering;
in spring in nature I heard a quiet voice.
V. A bush shrike
Not by choice I heard a very quiet voice,
a voice that was soft but still quite sublime
in its sheer prime outdoing all human noise,
turquoise the sky glowed at that time
like a perfect rhyme when least expecting it,
it did fit in its presence filled with joy,
without ploy it sang a song bit by bit
high notes it hit as a Godly envoy,
like a hidden decoy it was singing clearly,
it spoke to me, sang directly to the heart,
from the start it caught me very early,
bringing tranquillity in its joyful art.
VI. A raven
Apart from my life of some joyful art
in it did dart with a gleaming black coat
croaking like a goat, but looking quite smart,
it did depart with a sudden screeching note,
it was remote in the beyond that pleases him
getting dim past the old church’s weather vane,
like a stain, but my eyes began to swim
my sight was slim like a dirty window pane,
I felt inane and at its chosen height
almost out of sight against the blue sky,
it went by in its strong travelling flight,
it might draw me, fluttering it does fly.
VII A butterfly
When it is dry, fluttering it does fly,
to catch it I try, as it searches nectar,
near and far using its curios eye,
as a spy or like a wandering star
going over tar and inspecting tenderly
quite free acting with care, acting with grace
it does amaze finding a medley,
a sanctuary as it goes from place to place
it’s not commonplace, it’s without anxiety
that I see a lovely bright fragile thing,
thriving on a special variety
with almost piety I see it fluttering.
Gert Strydom, 17 stycznia 2012
With every sunny day coming in this summer
With every sunny day coming in this summer,
with each flower it’s as if God himself is here,
I find knowledge hidden between the flowers,
as something of Him, I became aware of Him,
there is rest with the sun in the blue sky,
I am not anxious; weavers are playing in the branches,
some are speckled, my life becomes serene,
in the outside air, even near the precipice
I feel healthy, as if He is bringing hope or life,
where birds are singing and every day is full of promises,
is full of love, with His love
that pierces everything, even the secrets of life.
Gert Strydom, 8 lutego 2012
While that night was darker than anything (cavatina sequence)
(after Edwin Arlington Robinson)
Where shadows were creeping over the wall
in twilight skies
there I waited at her favourite spot
dusk caught my eyes
while in the garden I did remember
a paradise,
intensely I wished her to come,
I really wished for her to be home
but who can break that devastating spell
of utter death
from the place of eternal lifeless rest,
had she bequeath
a lingering presence I wondered;
I felt her breath,
but it only could have been the breeze stirring
while that night was darker than anything.
I was however still yearning for her,
for a sweet kiss,
as without her my life felt really lost,
her I did miss,
did not know which way to go from right here;
in how life is
love still was fresh and was still lingering
as if greater than any other thing.
[Reference: “Luke Havergal” by Edwin Arlington Robinson.]
Gert Strydom, 8 lutego 2012
As a pretty butterfly that flutters (cavatina sequence)
As a pretty butterfly that flutters
along she came,
rapidly always running up and down;
nothing could tame
that childish sweet happy rushing spirit;
her lovely name
is not heard anymore as she is gone,
from life into death she has moved on.
Some soothing summer sunshine must be lost,
she does not pass,
no small shadow falls or lingers at times;
outside the grass
is quite soft where her small feet once did tread,
like clear bright glass
the sky is clear without a single fleck;
from her I cannot my sad thoughts direct.
Gert Strydom, 25 maja 2012
Long before becoming substance (cavatina)
Long before becoming substance, Your love
protected me,
You already knew all the many things
that I would be;
beyond the understanding of mere man
serenity,
the greatest glory envelopes You,
while constantly to me You do stay true.
Gert Strydom, 25 maja 2012
I do believe...
...that You still hold Your hand over us
that you are looking with fatherly eyes at us
that sometimes Your tears flow
about a world in which things fall apart
...that even when we see no more light
You and every angel and being that serves You
fights in a fierce battle
to regard us as Your own.
...that every thing stands against the dark might
as You want embrace us like Your children
that Your words and all of Your laws
only express Your great unending love.
Gert Strydom, 16 maja 2012
On a hot summer afternoon
On a hot summer afternoon
when buzzing bee after buzzing bee
pedantically visits flower cup
after flower cup
it is snapped up by the jaws
of the little jumping, dancing
Jack Russell that rocks to and fro
as it is backing up
and rushing forward in intent ecstasy
of the stinging sweetness.
Gert Strydom, 20 kwietnia 2012
Deathbed
How surly it is where you still laugh,
when death waits as the ripe coming from life
that hurts, when the sun breaks on the last day,
when in vain you yearn; you grab on sheets, blankets
when cancer keeps growing,
when you bleed internally, while it’s raining outside,
when nothing can stop the attack, can cut it away,
tears are flowing; here no thunderbolt will fall,
still you want to find the smell that sparks,
the spark that smells just like gunpowder,
it pains in your intestines but in this winter
you do not understand anything;
your throat burns, you want to hibernate;
you want to wander along, you are used up,
you dive into darkness reaching out further.
Gert Strydom, 18 kwietnia 2012
We stand on a rock
We stand on a rock at the sea’s edge
and the surf rushes in with spray,
while we have a certain knowledge
about our love on this brilliant day
and such perfection I have never seen
in any other day that had been
while there’s sheer loveliness in your smile
and the sea stretches out to a distant isle.
Gert Strydom, 5 kwietnia 2012
Aloes (Novelinee)
Suddenly summer was everywhere,
like blazing fire in the veldt and hillocks
there were patches of flame here and there
with aloes blooming between the rocks,
flaming right through the day till eventide
bringing to nature a patched kind of redness
naturally planted at places side by side
growing lovely in the utter harshness,
bringing great beauty to the wilderness.
Gert Strydom, 30 marca 2012
He makes the things between us to be true (Collins Sestets)
I am set to love God more than anybody
His principles, character lives in me
the very essence of love is such
that one cannot love a person overmuch,
He makes the things between us to be true
which brings His love to that in me and you.
My joys are many, my sorrows are few
and every day with you is something new
while to me you are much more than a friend
the depth of our feelings is without end,
He makes the things between us to be true
which brings His love to that in me and you.
Daily I only want to love you more,
being together with you that I adore
with you small hand in mine on life’s pathway
while we constantly head to the new day,
He makes the things between us to be true
which brings His love to that in me and you.
Gert Strydom, 28 marca 2012
Early I viewed the morning’s new birth (cavatina)
Early I viewed the morning’s new birth,
the eastern sky
was aflame while I walked on a path
that wounded by
a small copse, some hillocks and a field,
up birds did fly,
pheasants and guinea-fowl screeched protest
while in nature I was extremely blest.
Gert Strydom, 26 marca 2012
Far too little we know (Enclosed Triplets) (in answer to John Keats)
I
Not all kinds of things can be explained
by mere science or by some philosophy
and so the essence of life has remained
without its knowledge ever been gained
a very great kind of strange mystery
in that it does exist unrestrained,
when couples from pleasure have not abstained,
as in love some small cells brings a child to be
while after death life cannot be maintained
or knowledge of its wellspring be retained
while its source seems divine, something Godly;
not all kinds of things can be explained.
II
While some mysteries still has a haven
in their own undisturbed happenings
while human science still measures uneven;
if texture, colour and waves in heaven
of a rainbow is in the knowledge of things
the impact, the magic of it is not given,
even when men are despotic or craven,
on faith like butterflies, angels have wings,
as does remain the lore of the raven,
even the devil has hoofs that are cloven,
some stories have got some imaginings
while some mysteries still has a haven.
III
People might think I am on the loony side
but not all discoveries have been made
and to real faith some powers remain wide,
a man may have a tender hearted bride
as true love’s mysteries do not just fade
while all their guests do them well wishes bide,
when hidden facts appear from where they hide,
new kinds of things may appear from the shade,
with knowledge man wants to rule and divide,
in life by limited resources we decide
the way of things and do others persuade
and to real faith some powers remain wide.
IV
Yet still far too little we do know
even of ourselves and of our earth,
about the way that everything does go,
we experience the sun’s early glow
while we learn and adapt from our very birth
are caught by the wonder of drops of snow,
yearn for something more beyond the shadow,
for a Supreme Being that knows our true worth
in life’s daily continuous ebb and flow
and in rebellion we suffer blow by blow,
while to existence there is no rebirth,
yet still far too little we do know.
[Reference: “Lamia” by John Keats.]
Gert Strydom, 6 marca 2012
On a wedding day (cavatina sequence) (in answer to Jean Valentine)
I. After awakening
Today I try to see your lovely face
in the mind’s eye,
nothing comes to mind; you are beautiful,
but my thoughts fly
to the time that I was but a mere child;
in the blue sky
the sun is bright, my innocence is gone,
this day is huge; you are the only one.
II. Early morning
Early I am dressed; my friends gather,
scared to loose
the friendship that had come with years,
like a huge noose
marriage is to some, but they are happy,
wishes they choose,
are the most compelling words for my sake,
promises of lasting friendship we make.
III. Arriving at church
My best man is more nervous than I am,
when we arrive
at the full church, see an ocean of faces,
I feel alive,
do wait to see you enter in glory;
far too active
beyond the edge my nerves are driven,
before our true loving oaths are given.
IV. At the airport
From the reception we do slip away
and hand in hand
our life together begins, as at the airport
we alone stand,
dressed in other clothes; our happiness
people understand,
as you in lovely enchantment do glow
of our new marriage they just do know.
V. Intimacy
As we land big palm trees wave us welcome,
we do caress
in the hotel room, where you do smile shy
as you undress,
as in our own flesh minutes linger,
in nothingness,
in our intimacy we are alone,
of each other in bliss we become one.
[Reference: “A Bride’s Hours” by Jean Valentine.]
Gert Strydom, 29 lutego 2012
Occupation
To be part of you, to become one
of a silky kind of shuddering,
when emotions and words fail,
in the pure unity that brings everything together
is more than passion without pretension,
when your eyes arrow sharp go much deeper,
when we are swept away on an unknown way,
coming to a new kind of meaning,
then it is of both a kind of occupation.
Gert Strydom, 24 lutego 2012
To the summer sun (Collins Sestets)
Her sheer loveliness is incomparable,
her close presence is so very able
to outstrip the pain, darkness of the soul,
daily she brings great joy, she makes me whole
and her impact is totally sublime,
as if she goes pass the bonds of time.
Her voice is extremely musical
bringing joy at times that is critical
as she enters with a shadowed footfall
draws shapes and are present on the wall
and her impact is totally sublime,
as if she goes pass the bonds of time.
She comes like the notes of a lost song
with a kind of beauty that brings no wrong,
making birds and insects utter their joy
while only great goodness she does employ
and her impact is totally sublime,
as if she goes pass the bonds of time.
Gert Strydom, 22 lutego 2012
A day with a new morn (luc-bat)
The wind whispers in rage
while with time I do age each day
when mere fate havoc play,
and I was on my way; was wet
the day that we had met,
my life was already set by grace
with a smile on your face,
we went to a new place for fun,
the day did just begun,
was hot with the bright sun, was fair
with colour in your hair,
a thing was in the air and gone,
like a sweet kind of tone
that had just moved on a page.
Gert Strydom, 20 lutego 2012
Forgive me God
(after Solomon Ibn Gabirol)
Forgive me God and set me free from punishment,
forgive my sins that are so numerous.
Remember me, for the sake of Your love
and even where Your decree has been set,
forgive and see my longing for You.
Wash away my sins as human frailty,
and lead me back to Your company.
[Reference: “His Ilness” by Solomon Ibn Gabirol.]
Gert Strydom, 14 lutego 2012
When making love (cavatina)
This is the time where feelings become real
were we do know
the full impact of love and nothingness,
where we let go
in our existing of every thing,
where first quite slow
the moment stretches to eternity,
where we grasp love intimate and fully.
Gert Strydom, 10 lutego 2012
Early summer
The year is full of the hot blue sky,
every spring flower has become fruit,
when the maturity of the summer appears
and gone is all the strife and pain.
There are joyful birds wherever I go,
giant oaks are decked in leaves in the lane
while the sun shines bright until the late afternoon
and gone is all the strife and pain.
When summer rain comes down fruitful,
days become illustrious,
while love shines on your face
and gone is all the strife and pain;
when God keeps my country in his palm,
when a time of neighbourly love unfolds,
when every thing that brings discord slowly disappears
and gone is all the strife and pain.
Gert Strydom, 9 lutego 2012
The decimation of the 47th Cuban / FAPLA Brigade (cavatina)
That night thunder flash after thunder flash
roared blood red,
I could smell scorched flesh, saw the havoc
of the burnt dead,
while the armoured car’s gun hammered;
Cubans had fled,
left their pristine battle tanks to run away,
while we fought through the night into the day.
Gert Strydom, 4 czerwca 2012
There is a land (cavatina)
There is a land of endless light, where night
never does come,
where spring and summer boundless stays in that
eternal home,
where love and delight only true joys bring,
where no fears roam;
in that bright place that brings eternal rest,
there is a God, that selfless loves me best.
Gert Strydom, 28 grudnia 2011
Anemone (Balassi stanza)
Like big white and red eyes
opening under the skies
growing from a russet stalk
fragilely flowering
early in the new spring
when some people laugh and talk
they hardly ever see
your bright blooms hanging free
while chatting past they do walk.
Gert Strydom, 12 grudnia 2011
Insertion (in answer to Pieter Strauss)
With the moon that is tonight missing
as if it has strayed somewhere
and the stars dimmed out
by dark clouds
and just now and then
a bolt of thunder
that hits bleak white downwards
I am let free from very high
and are almost a machine
that breathes through a mask
where a tank is attached on to my back
and from higher than the horizon
and with every enemy guard, guard-tower
radar station primed
against foreign penetration, intrusion
I fall hyper-quick, as if I am passing time
while life, the whole world
comes to a standstill around me
until I am mechanically reminded
that the ground is almost too near
and the parachute jerks open,
pulling me back into time
with the ground almost touching my boots.
[“1. rendezvous” by Pieter Strauss.]
Gert Strydom, 12 grudnia 2011
Situation report on a reconnaissance expedition
We went to reconnoitre enemy positions
being dropped from very high by parachute
in a dark moonless night
and I couldn’t even see the stars
as I came down to the ground
and there wasn’t any sign of light
up to the horizon.
After landing we grouped together
following a compass
walked miles and miles north east
saw the rising sun
walked right through the day
and did not find any enemy,
found no activity or any sign of man
crossed some small rivers marked on the map
saw a lot of crocodiles, some hippopotamuses
came across a lion kill
where they lay snarling at us
and as hiking through the bush go
this was excellent
as we saw almost all of the big five first hand,
while moving between them
and came back alive
but in a strategic military sense
it was of no value.
Gert Strydom, 9 grudnia 2011
From this city I want to escape (Free verse Quatern)
From this city I want to flee,
to find a place of some solace,
not again I want to return,
where city lights sometimes blind people.
I still think about how it was,
from this city I want to flee,
I cannot fit in this anthill,
a bridge to escape, I must find.
The city makes me uneasy,
I want to wander on the beach,
from this city I want to flee,
I want to vanish by bus or train.
Now I splash in a city stream,
at times are in the open air,
about freedom I can just dream,
from this city I want to flee.
Gert Strydom, 7 grudnia 2011
Arthur Pendragon about Excalibur (Novelinee)
I am confident, they say a sword is
just a sword, but that is not really true
when I draw great Excalibur it hiss,
gleams with a silver-blue kind of strange hue,
without any type of wavering
cuts right through bronze and iron, slices on
and it is a very strange kind of thing
all my fears and doubts of battle are gone;
as it came right out of the hardest stone.
Gert Strydom, 13 grudnia 2011
May God forever be praised
(after Abraham Ibn Ezra)
May God forever be praised,
although we do not comprehend
the science flowing from His hands,
that His words have the power to materialize
how He created everything
that we know about,
or still have got to discover
and although He is love
we do not really understand
or at times even know Him
and whoever see Him in His works
cannot deny that He exists
while everything in nature
to His glory continually sings,
of the great power
of his selfless love.
[Reference: “God Supreme” by Abraham Ibn Ezra.]
Gert Strydom, 15 grudnia 2011
False Bay (Collins sestet)
(after Matthew Arnold)
Tonight over the sea there are small lights,
Cape Town against Table Mountain lying bright
where it is flat against the evening sky
and in the distance a liner passes by
while the surging spray breaks over False Bay,
forevermore on Africa waves toss and play.
The stream of life did into the sea go
with joy, grace and hope in its ebb and flow
but debris, broken pieces are washed ashore
with pollution caught in the breaking roar
while the surging spray breaks over False Bay,
forevermore on Africa waves toss and play.
Stars sparkle and the light wind furls through your hair
while on the beach we are the only pair
and you swear to be true eternally,
a bright beacon in the darkness we see
while the surging spray breaks over False Bay,
forevermore on Africa waves toss and play.
[Reference: “Dover Beach” by Matthew Arnold.]
Gert Strydom, 5 grudnia 2011
A song of sadness
When stars appear at night
the garden still have a kind of beauty
when the evening flower opens pure,
when there is love between us.
There I forget any kind of pain
are surrounded by yellow-white jasmine
even when heartache brings tears to my eyes,
when there is love between us
There is the smell of lavender
that softly is carried by the evening breeze,
when I lift my eyes to God,
when there is love between us
In times of pain and longing
the birds are still singing to each other,
under the big old yellow moon,
when there is love between us.
There I see stars sparkling blue,
I never become bitter,
even when death suddenly comes,
when there is love between us.
Still memories are gliding,
as if it can bring you back again,
although my days continue alone,
when there is love between us.
Gert Strydom, 9 grudnia 2011
I want to sleep with the same innocence
(after Fredrico Garcia Lorca)
I want to sleep with the same innocence
as the lad who slept among apples
away from the tumult brought by centuries
and awake as if every new day
is a morning filled with new promise.
I long to be at the sea
with the same kind of longing
as the boy who wanted to cut out his heart
because of the sea
to see the surging and swell
to experience the endless energy.
Let me lie down somewhere in the veldt
far away from the atrocities of man,
where grasses, the bushes and trees
grow in splendour
and some animals still roam free
where the first rays of the sun will awaken me.
[Reference: Gacela of the dark death by Fredrico Garcia Lorca.]
Gert Strydom, 22 grudnia 2011
Marigolds (Novelinee)
Like the morning glory you worship the sun
opening golden fold upon golden fold
following it from the time the day begun
as if that starry thing you do behold
longing for its shining white hot rays
as if watching while it is moving on
opening sunny day upon sunny day
and closing just as soon as it is gone
as if its love to you is the only one.
Gert Strydom, 16 grudnia 2011
To a Queen (in answer to Alfred Lord Tennyson) (pastiche)
(with apologies to Alfred Lord Tennyson)
Tempered, complicated – O you that bold
send armies from your office to roam the earth
spoiled by charms, power from birth
your deception has been told since the kings of old.
Victoria, - from your royal face,
from your lips to your brow
snobbishness did flow,
without grace, you treated my people base.
And should your weakness, be reported everywhere,
in gossip and jokes in your fallen empire that declines with time
then let this verse, this rhyme
tell of the worthlessness and how without care,
Then – your soldiers made mistakes,
and in a wild march to scorch the earth, women and children did fall
while you sat enthroned behind a palace-wall
while under trampling boots, canon fire the earth shakes –
Take, Madam, these accusations along,
for from your faults my people was buried in dust,
while Englishmen were heathen they could not trust,
your mindlessness, at a time flowed strong,
And as a ruler spoiling blood
you will have a price to pay in the last day!
May children of my nation’s children say:
“She robbed our parents from liberty, property and food.”
“Her court was impure, her life unclean;
God unleash your power against every vile purpose,
let Your eternal judgment in its reckoning close
against Victoria’s descendants, against the queen;”
“And to the men who at her councils met
who knew when to rape, pillage and take
let You of them a example make,
them who bounded freedom, abusing wider yet”
“By shaping unwanted, unjust decree after decree
which made the innocents blood spill
who exercised their own will
and forever cursed Victoria and they will be.”
[References: “To The Queen: Revered, beloved – O you that hold” by Alfred Lord Tennyson. This poem is written in remembrance of the twenty thousand (some figures are as high as thirty five thousand) innocent white Afrikaner women and children that died in British concentration camps in South Africa, after their farms and houses were scorched by the British in the Anglo-Boer war in South Africa, which includes a great grandmother of mine. For a clear picture of these atrocities read my epic poem “Through the eyes of a field coronet” which is based on the eyewitness account of field coronet (Captain) JJ Potgieter.]
Gert Strydom, 13 grudnia 2011
To me His presence is a mystery (Collins Sestet)
When havoc and disaster came my way
upon a tranquil sunny summer day
I had blamed God for being absent,
of my accusation He was innocent;
He is present in a world of iniquity
and to me His presence is a mystery.
I looked for God, Him I did not see,
His image, His presence eluded me
but I found His tracks everywhere,
in everything lovely His hand was there;
He is present in a world of iniquity
and to me His presence is a mystery
There was great beauty in a lone thrush
singing all the world to a holy hush,
the pattering rain brought along new birth
while He continually blessed the earth;
He is present in a world of iniquity
and to me His presence is a mystery.
Gert Strydom, 27 grudnia 2011
When in history, stories and poems I read (Sonnet Corona)
(after William Shakespeare)
I
When in history, stories and poems I read
about the greatest, the most fair persons
with the remarkable lives they did lead,
of knights guarding ladies for some reasons
then in you my lovely darling princess,
I see in everything, even your brow
more beauty than pens of old did express
and in the lovely looks that are yours now
is such exceeding glorious, awesome grace,
that all declarations prefigure you
up to this very moment in time and space,
are just substitutes trying to hold true,
to you the world is waiting as if ready,
arise - walk into my arms, my lady.
II
Arise - walk into my arms, my lady,
rise up my beloved true companion
the hot bright summer sun is already
falling with a love filled emotion
on the pure white leaves of the lilies,
the finches are already twittering
the wind is passing quick like young fillies
and outside the entire world is stirring.
Rise up my sweetest white lovely rose
and awake to the blessed bright morning,
arise from you tranquil kind of repose
and experience the greatness of spring,
of everything that’s good, great and living,
hear the joyous songs, the alluring feeling.
III
Hear the joyous songs, the alluring feeling,
from what is held as a true loveliness,
others have just some features been stealing;
your looks, grace, personality do not digress.
Not doom or the evil works of destiny
can control each and every coming thing,
can totally control either you or me,
or the pure fountain from where all things spring.
Neither is my love for you controlled by
events, people or situations that impact on it
as I have many kinds of choices that lie
in my two hands, that changes bit by bit.
In all kinds of things I want to be true,
may my lines only express love to you.
IV
May my lines only express love to you,
tell no lies and not lack in sincerity
and whatever I now say and I do
become deeper and carry more integrity.
As constantly my love grows intense
and with time it becomes much clearer
that at no one else’s pain or expense,
that you are now becoming much dearer
than that what you used to be to me
and although I thought that no other love
could ever be more sincere and free
more intense, or could still more improve,
our love is better than only moments ago
while it still have hours, days and years to grow.
V
While it still have hours, days and years to grow
to our love, may these words be our monument,
may it in sincerity forever glow
may it stay, when everything else is spent.
These words are left by me as did others
but all of my sincere feelings for you
must not contain anything that bothers
as they are full of integrity and true
and we might only be like the moth and flame
attracted to light and differences
but the feelings still do remain the same,
which I do profane as does the consequences
and still I am just trying to stay true,
even in rout I keep honouring you.
VI
Even in rout I keep honouring you,
I who have nothing, but sincerity,
I must be able to find something true,
in the extreme darkness that surrounds me.
When I see the lights of heaven glancing
through your lovely clear sun filled eyes,
when you are smiling so all-embracing
I am not bothered by any cloudy skies.
When I was but still extremely young,
I walked through the veldt many a mile,
the loveliest sight did to the sky belong
while I was lost in its hot sunshine smile,
I was seeing the world through childlike eyes,
when I was sincere, stripped from lies.
VII
When I was sincere, stripped from lies;
I was wondering what to find in darkness
that is just as clear as the bright blue skies,
that is honourable, free from wickedness?
When most of my days are quickly rushing past
will you then as now, still truly love me,
in old age, when any day can be my last?
Will you still be happy, laugh joyously,
be here to keep me with sweet company
when I am broken by destiny in contrast
to the young man that I used to be,
when all of the good things in life do pass?
Will I then still feel your body’s true heat,
when in history, stories and poems I read?
Gert Strydom, 16 grudnia 2011
Salmon van As
(after C. Louis Leipoldt)
On a night just as the moon is rising
a British officer comes by horse with a white flag
and the rifle barrels of the Boers follow him,
as they are on guard at the front post.
Evening after evening he comes
and sometimes rides past in a cloud of dust
where he is spying on their positions
and tries to lead them astray with his chattering.
With words that by now they know:
“No nation will win against us.
Surrender tonight,
as you have already lost the war.”
On a hillock Salmon van As is at the front post
and something creaks below him in the trees and bushes
where he is standing with his Mauser rifle at the ready
and he knows of the atrocities of this Englishman
where with a thunder clap he shoots at him.
Some black men run back to the British camp
to tell the story of the shot,
where a red headed major stamps his feet in anger
and swears to God to take revenge.
Convinced of his own innocence Salmon van As
stays openly on his own farm,
where he goes on with his life in Heidelberg
and just after the peace of Vereniging,
when it fits the British,
they insist on his arrest.
He is brought before a military court
where he is not given any chance to defend himself,
as probably he would have succeeded in his own defence
and the British officer says his final say.
At daylight the Lee Metford rifles of the British soldiers fire
and like Gideon Scheepers there’s a Boer that falls,
a Boer citizen is murdered by the British
and in the cliff a thorn tree on his grave still tells that story.
[Reference: “Salmon van As” by C. Louis Leipoldt.]
Gert Strydom, 22 grudnia 2011
About a daisy (Balassi stanza)
She picked a white daisy,
drew off petals easy,
said he loves me or does not
watched the white flower,
scared to get it over,
wondered what she had got,
her tears gleamed like dew
and the answer she knew,
picked flowers for a pot.
Gert Strydom, 7 grudnia 2011
Sir Lancelot du Lac about Queen Guinevere Pendragon (Novelinee)
To me she came on one storm tossed night
with eyes shining bright like the morning dew,
she was dressed quite flimsily in white
stepped into my arms before I knew.
She kissed me and in bliss we did play,
we were smitten; it was much more than lust,
every day I must from her keep away;
my friend, companion, lord in me do trust
but when Guinevere smiles there is just us.
Gert Strydom, 16 kwietnia 2015
Little princess in a glass box
Your dad says proudly that he did design you himself
and your eyes, nose and mouth are genetically from him.
Your mother says that she is your own breeding machine,
the paediatrician says that you may go home tomorrow
and it is much more than just a maybe.
I am astounded by you small long body
where you are laying in a glass box with a blue light
and we would not want it any different
where you are growing at the speed of wind
and your eyes are covered by minutely small sunglasses
against the sharp light that is blinding you
and your grandmother wants to pull you much closer.
Fragile and brittle you lay and wait
where the machine is doing its work to the following day.
Gert Strydom, 4 stycznia 2015
I tower almost to the clouds
I tower almost to the clouds
on the lookout to see you,
to be aware of your arrival
and at night I hang out bright lanterns
while I scout into the distance
are looking if I can see your star jumping
or somewhere can find a sign of your arrival
over the plains that lay far into the distance
and when you are far off at the horizon
then my heart is already flowering,
then great joy is present in the cathedral
of my eyes,
then the hall of welcome
is prepared for the banquet of our love
and as if I have consumed
too many bottles of champagne
you are already foaming in my veins
long before you are with me.
Gert Strydom, 7 sierpnia 2015
When I did search for the meaning of the word love
When I did search for the meaning of the word love
I could nowhere find an inclusive perfect definition
and yet I do know that it’s something that binds two persons,
that it’s something that is a kind of blessing or a curse
and the deeper I did investigate it the more I became aware
that it is something with the power to destroy
and disillusioned like a mere child I did realise
that each person is a character in God’s script
and when I did look deep in your eyes
I did see something moving in your heart
but even though sincere and fond a person can be
and even if those emotions did look like love
I did realise that love is decision of the will
without the impact of disillusionment or fear.
Gert Strydom, 18 września 2014
I wonder if all men long for a girl… (cavatina)
I wonder if all men long for a girl
who has some stay,
acts at time as a harpy, whore and mate;
as she portray
a woman of utmost consequence,
every day
an angel in her own beauty and wit,
and truly blessed is she that has it.
Gert Strydom, 26 czerwca 2014
There are times that I pray (Italian sonnet)
There are times that I pray
for those that I love and know
and sometimes the words just flow
and at other times I have got nothing to say
and on every single day
God does His goodwill bestow
and with compassion my words do sometimes glow
or they are swept away
like leaves blown in the wind
and sometimes some thoughts do remain
when some problems to me are too much
but before I know it I do find
happiness instead of pain
when God do lives silently touch.
Gert Strydom, 30 czerwca 2014
When suddenly the thing called happiness is gone
When suddenly the thing called happiness is gone
and in the great old world we are all alone
then it’s hard to find any kind of peace of mind
and it’s as if we become the only one
that is facing any difficulty
and its as if the whole world
has turn to black and white and grey
and of the brilliant colours there are none
and when it feels even when we go on our knees to pray
that nothing does the power of destiny sway,
as if nothing is happening
and if it’s just another awful kind of day
then yet suffering, heartache and pain
although these feelings sometimes do remain
are full of counterparts
and the little things in life
comfort many troubled hearts
and even brings peace to times of strive
and then suddenly it’s with different eyes that we see
our own human fatality
and where and how we fit into the world
and all the small miracles that comes gratis and free
out of the hand of a loving and caring God.
Gert Strydom, 13 sierpnia 2014
From the blue sky falls a small dragonfly (Novelinee)
From the blue sky falls a small dragonfly
at our feet are a myriad of flowers
to which some busy bees passes us by,
in the distance high an oak towers
while the silence gives words to our love
that comes with an unknown secret power,
as if nothing, can ever it remove
while lingering is that passionate hour
slender like a special kind of flower.
Gert Strydom, 5 marca 2015
On a cruel cross Lord
On a cruel cross Lord, my sins became Thine
and were all the riches and power of nature mine,
nothing would befits You as a gift
and never could I repay a love so unblemished and divine.
Even if life does me degrade and around toss,
when I look on that terrible cross,
I can only give myself as I am
as the value of all other things are at a loss.
In my mind Your own suffering and pain
does continually remain
and although Calvary does my heart sting
Your cruel death is to life my greatest gain
When if only for me
Thy life was given as guarantee
to pardon a life unwholesome and full of iniquity
and now forever from sin I can be free.
Gert Strydom, 19 czerwca 2014
To time (rubaiyat sonnet)
Without human control it moves on
and soon a day, a night, a week is gone
while no human science can make it pause;
or has capacity to turn time to stone.
By its own accord it ebbs and it flows,
if by divine providence it goes
through the ages of man into aeons
moving through times of happiness and woes.
Yet there may come a final end to it
when in the Master’s hand its passing fit,
when with Godly power He deems it to stop
and seconds going forward bit by bit
will in earthly dimension be no more,
when the planet turns to be like before.
Gert Strydom, 11 czerwca 2015
I wonder why each woman
I wonder why each woman
does want to control, regulate
and order her man about
as if the marriage is something
that tells her that she can
but in moments of disaster and strife
she does return to be a normal kind of wife.
Gert Strydom, 12 sierpnia 2014
Life is not what it seem
(in answer to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
There is nothing that can stop the sands of time
and although many lives may be sublime,
destiny and death leave marks on each day
while events occur without reason or rhyme.
If lives of great men are footprints in the sand
why is it then so very difficult to understand
that some leaders do lead men to disaster
although they do seem heroic and grand?
In our own kind of reality life is not what it seem,
as much like in a very strange kind of dream
things, circumstances and events are ever changing
and sometimes does not turnout as we do deem.
Even when we are achieving and pursuing,
events, words and acts may be our own undoing
while for justice we might forever wait,
without being able to do a single thing.
Yet in faith, if we do trust in God
even in havoc He is wherever we trod,
from the day of birth and celebration,
even beyond our funeral, the final sod.
[Reference: “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.]
Gert Strydom, 21 września 2015
On this early summer evening
On this early summer evening
outside the fish and chips shop I stop
caught by the serene colours in the sky
of the setting sun, the hues
of yellow and orange flowing into pink,
the clouds hanging white
somewhat like patterns
or connecting pieces of a puzzle
against the dark and light blue sky
with rays shining through
giving brilliance to them
as if falling in spotlights
or in broad bands at places
with the sun finally becoming
a small glowing ball
just here and there
appearing through open patches
of the now darker clouds and sky.
Gert Strydom, 14 października 2015
A dentist
At the local municipal clinic
the dentist rather pulls the teeth than fill them
and even if you have got a lot of pain
there is no compassion to be seen.
Gert Strydom, 31 lipca 2014
Love keeps flowering and sometimes
Love keeps flowering
and sometimes it comes brutally
filled with a type of energy
like revolutions over the sheets
and at other times softly and swishing in
like the tides
where you lay against me with your thighs
or through the gospels of mad hermits
I am overwhelmed by your passion
are swallowed by it.
When the sun hangs as if painted on a canvas
and I only get more and more of you
then you become a small perfumed garden around me
where lilies,
roses and the most beautiful carnations
open their cups.
Gert Strydom, 5 września 2013
From before time
From before the beginning of time
You did already measure me out,
did determine my humanity and character.
You did know
when I would fall and stand up again
and if I do forget
Your love and sacrifices
I ask that You bring me back to You again.
Gert Strydom, 4 października 2013
Some mornings
Some mornings I hear doves coming down fluttering outside
and its as if long moments are lingering between us,
it’s as if sleep is stretching out
and I am lost in each breath and the contours of your body.
Gert Strydom, 8 października 2013
Sometimes your eyes do catch mine
Sometimes just for a moment your eyes do catch mine
and I am lost in their depths.
Sometimes I see small bird tracks
from the times that you do laugh
and sometimes you do smile brightly
like the summer sun.
Sometimes your eyes are turbid
as if the season of winter
does continue forever sadly,
as if the night will never again past
and sometimes your eyes are full of hope
like a new spring that does arrive
and you do change me
to also notice the bright light
in everything that has been, that is
and that has still got to happen.
Gert Strydom, 10 października 2013
During the last days of winter
During the last days of winter
we have planted
white Iceberg roses,
blue, purple and yellow irises,
geraniums of the F3 hybrid
and all colours of gazanias
along the palisade of the front garden
and even grass-carnations, pansies,
and Sweet Williams are already flowering
and even a bush of yesterday-today-and-tomorrow
brings a kind of beauty to what life is.
Gert Strydom, 27 grudnia 2013
Silently at night
Silently at night
we see the bright stars appear
and their coming is almost as secretive
as the silent pain
that love asks and brings so suddenly
in mutual company
where it gives and also asks everything
and selfless carry all of life.
Gert Strydom, 12 września 2013
In the late afternoon your words did become silent
In the late afternoon your words did become silent
and your movements were curtailed
as if you did not want to get up from the chair,
as if you did not want to leave me later
and outside the August wind stopped blowing
while we did say no words to each other
and outside the sun did shine
in a moment of great joy and pain
while we were clinging to each other
and the afternoon sun’s radiance did weaken
when it felt as if time poured into that moment
while time did linger but it was much too short
when everything for both of us came to a standstill
and in ecstasy we looked at each other
but in me this fear does remain
that no moment will ever again be like this.
Gert Strydom, 2 stycznia 2014
Reckless you wait in my dreams
Reckless you wait in my dreams
with a pouting mouth
and at times I dream of us both
being together on holy ground
where the mere presence of God
does fathom love
but in life day and night interchanges
while love does bind us
with a kind of magic power.
Gert Strydom, 6 stycznia 2014
On love and making love
The act of love brings men and women to their delight
whereas the art of love burns
like a candle through the darkest night
and involves the mind, body and soul
and makes even broken people whole
and in a world where passions reign
and embodies the wonder of being alive
love does much more than making love contain
as at its heart lies a kind of sincerity
that binds and makes a person free,
that takes away the sin from sin
when with true love
mere men and women do begin
when making love is a mortal thing
and true love is a gift from the godly being.
Gert Strydom, 16 kwietnia 2014
The sky is bright blue
The sky is bright blue
with a golden sun that is still summer
while the first leaves of autumn begins to fall
and there is peace and tranquillity in my universe
until the phone curses shrilly,
the neighbour’s children run around in the street
screaming wherever they go,
while they throw each other with lumps,
guests that come visiting
ring the front bell
and the dogs bark
running up and down in the yard.
Gert Strydom, 4 września 2013
In the aloe covered hillocks
In the aloe covered hillocks I saw nature have her way
with orange primal naked flowers among the rocks
while proteas bloomed on sunny day after sunny day;
small miracles caught the eye, under a cobalt sky
while you smiled at me with an inner happiness,
you radiated something more than just tranquillity
had softness, a serenity and a type of kindness;
your soft lips I wanted to kiss with you I wanted to be.
Gert Strydom, 27 maja 2014
The sun flees confused
The sun flees confused
but you are in my heart
and I am fulfilled this winter
while the winds are howling outside
and you do grow into me
while the clouds blot the sun out,
rain sieves down continually
and you do bless me with enthusiasm,
and of time I do not take any notice.
Gert Strydom, 8 sierpnia 2013
Today my heart rejoices
Today my heart rejoices
like a bird in full song
with its throat throbbing
and it’s almost the beginning of spring
and as the day goes along
everywhere there are joyful voices
and it’s the time that my love and I
celebrate our wedding day
and I pray that our love do remain
throughout our lives in happiness and pain
and that everything that I do or say
just brings more happiness as times goes by.
© Gert Strydom
Gert Strydom, 20 listopada 2013
The ocean (cavatina)
Till eternity in and out waves sweep,
in sheer terror
at times storm tossed the strong breakers roar,
without error
the marks of low and high water is set,
joy and horror
her shining, flowing, living waters bring
while she exists without any feeling.
Gert Strydom, 22 listopada 2013
Wolraad Woltemade appears
He comes from the sea as a spectre
with seaweeds hanging on him
and rides his horse
that its hoofs crash like thunder
until he stops to climb down
and looks at the wide world,
are astounded for moments
and the horse snorts, sniffs in the wind,
wants to return to the sea again.
It’s clear that everything now is different
and he notices a ship sailing past,
hears factories droning in the distance
and smell the age-old fog of the sea.
[Poet’s note: After fearlessly riding into the storm swept sea to rescue several people from a sinking ship (De Jonge Thomas) on 1 June 1773, Wolraad Woltemade had perished in the great waves.]
Gert Strydom, 2 października 2013
You did become
You did become flesh of my flesh,
spirit of my spirit
as you are in the deepest part of me
and I want it never to be different
Ostatnie komentarze:
16 maja 2024
violetta
Może w lipcu będę miała takie wakacje:)
16 maja 2024
jeśli tylko
słońce w płynie..
15 maja 2024
Weronika
Za jeszcze jeden rejs!
14 maja 2024
Mam takie oko :)
14 maja 2024
Jaga
Zwierzęta upodobniły się do koloru otoczenia
14 maja 2024
To naturalny suchy i pustynny klimat. I tam są
14 maja 2024
Klimat taki, że nie był i raczej nie będzie,
12 maja 2024
Melancthe
Kajzerki są przereklamowane ;)
11 maja 2024
kb
wielki wypas - był albo może będzie. kto wie...
11 maja 2024
sama prawda z tym myśleniem i psoceniem ale
11 maja 2024
zastanowiło mnie czy owe cenienie kajzerek wynika
11 maja 2024
skomponowane kolorystycznie..
17 maja 2024
wiesiek
16 maja 2024
violetta
16 maja 2024
Marek Gajowniczek
15 maja 2024
wiesiek
15 maja 2024
Jaga
14 maja 2024
violetta
14 maja 2024
Misiek
14 maja 2024
Arsis
14 maja 2024
Marek Gajowniczek
13 maja 2024
Arsis