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Gert Strydom, 18 july 2012
A Phosphorus projectile explodes
A Phosphorus projectile explodes
burns soldiers to particles of dust
when an enemy tank fires
hitting a Ratel armoured car in a bright glare,
burns hissing right through the blood of boys,
it becomes a terrible hour
where humanity goes totally dim.
Gert Strydom, 17 july 2012
Like ants living clustered in (cavatina)
Like ants living clustered in, we do live
and are rushing
without noticing the red rising sun;
and everything
falls into place in our quickened pace
and each feeling,
action, glance is set in a quick-fix day
where we do loose the ability to pray,
with significant others instead of
husbands and wives,
where our children do not have to obey,
living their lives
totally Godless as they reach for more
and are in strive
with the laws and the ways of society
as everything centres just on I and me.
Gert Strydom, 22 january 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 january 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, 1 february 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 january 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, 26 june 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, 22 june 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, 23 january 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, 16 april 2012
To you who always are in my thoughts (English sonnet)
If our sweet love could not be compared,
if it could not by anything be quenched,
to love you so then I tried, I dared
without expecting to be recompensed,
maybe at the start I was much to bold ,
believing absurdly in sincerity
and I told you clearly what my heart hold
but now I need more than just charity
that with each other our intimate dealings
will be mature, be bound by the same spell,
that there will be magic in your feelings
not only kissing and wishing me well:
for far too many years you have been free.
If you honestly love me, then tell me.
Gert Strydom, 10 january 2012
Some silence hanged wordless between us
Next to a silver river, a clear stream
you were dreaming against a willow,
with a small smile, silent and satisfied
as if something great happened in the past
when your bright eyes suddenly caught mine,
words hang silently between us.
In your eyes light sparkled like stars,
a leave fell and glided away
when suddenly a plover called from the marsh
with others answering from far away
when your bright eyes suddenly caught mine,
words hang silently between us.
Where the water flows endlessly
you got quickly to your feet,
your glance went deep into my soul
and we could not evade our feelings,
when your bright eyes suddenly caught mine,
words hang silently between us.
Gert Strydom, 17 january 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, 16 january 2012
Life is not what it seem (wreathed quatrains) (in answer to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
There’s nothing that can stop the sands of time
some lives sublime will face death on a day
nothing can stay, without reason or rhyme
existence does begrime, by destiny swept away;
great men play and live, leave prints in the sand,
they are grand, but they lead others to disaster,
as plaster impressions, difficult to understand
very underhand few can their tricks master
and faster life passes; it’s not what it seems;
as in a dream events are ever changing,
everything does not turnout as we do deem,
self-esteem does not always happiness bring,
even achieving and pursuing, may bring a end
in a world bend, while for justice we wait
with hate, on words and acts till we are spent,
while descent nothing is or even straight
.
but in our gait, if we do trust in God,
even if ungodly we act in recreation
on every occasion to the final sod
it’s quite odd, He brings a new creation.
[Reference: “A Psalm of Life” by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.]
Gert Strydom, 23 december 2011
When Christmas comes
When Christmas comes, while the flowers
here are blooming during summer,
I am astounded by the things
in the windows of the shops
and I am at times wondering
if everybody realizes what gift
You gave to the wide world,
with your coming as a insignificant human being
and I see people wishing each other well,
wishing a prosperous new year
and wonder if anybody still believes
in the salvation that You do bring,
if your crucifixion and the affliction of it
really pervades to humanity?
Gert Strydom, 4 june 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, 27 december 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, 2 february 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, 25 january 2012
Thunder (cinquain)
Thunder;
blue-white energy
flashing downward sizzling,
frightens everyone of blazing
flashes.
Gert Strydom, 2 october 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
Gert Strydom, 27 may 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, 29 may 2014
So that You do become much more than just a maybe
My Lord, today I do realize
that sin is a living reality,
that iniquity is present in my whole being
as if a union with the darkness
is hardwired in me from the beginning.
I ask You to come and live in my heart
and that You do become a living reality to me,
that you show me Your presence in the small things
and that You do shower Your blessings over my life,
that I can see Your presence daily
so that You do become much more than just a maybe.
Gert Strydom, 30 october 2013
At church square he stands
At church square he stands just in front of the steps
and the statue of old uncle Paul
with a guitar in his hand
in a torn dirty jean
and the wind flutters the old washed-out shirt
of the curly head blonde singer
and he looks dumbfounded.
He notices people walking past
to offices, busses and cars
(and some of them are chatting)
and only a few does notice him,
leave silver
and even a bank note in his hat.
In his memories he goes back
to a time with food in the house
and his mother and father that did love each other,
to a time when life was still simple and free
and his eyes catch a bolt of lightning
that flashes blue-white in an open sky
and he wonders if it is later going to rain
while he plays and sings a sad song.
Gert Strydom, 12 september 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, 9 october 2013
The forsaking (Canzonetta)
(after Sir Thomas Wyatt)
She whom once did me seek flee away
and it is somewhat kind of strange to me
that something did change and she cannot stay
as if I have some kind of iniquity
while she hides behind a sweet kind of guise
and it is very strange this sad awakening
comes as a sudden kind of dim surprise
as there is much pain in the forsaking
and in the morning’s bright new day
she does continually want to be free
even the kind of music that she plays
has a kind of rebellion that I see,
when I do touch her, her arm hairs do rise
and all of this has me worried and thinking,
makes me cry right up to the red sunrise,
as there is much pain in the forsaking
and I will have her right back if I may
but that is not how things are going to be
while to another lover she is set to stray,
want to make me for her sake feel guilty
and to want her back, to stay is unwise
but terribly my heart keeps on aching
and of her intents I can just surmise,
as there is much pain in the forsaking.
[Reference: “The lover showeth how he is forsaken” “They flee from me that sometime did me seek” by Sir Thomas Wyatt.]
Gert Strydom, 24 april 2014
My Lord
My Lord, some people say that You do not exist,
that You and Your crucifixion and resurrection
is but a fable
Others see You as an inaccessible, cruel God
who sits unapproachable
as a age-old man on a throne
and then there are those that say
that you are female
and others that do believe
that every thing in nature
do possess a part of Your godliness
and they believe that at a time
a person becomes part of You and looses the own identity
and others do believe that you have extradited
an imperfect world to its own nemesis
and that You turn Your back constantly on everyone and everything
but I do know You, for who You really are,
do experience Your presence constantly
and in Your word there is another image
of love that is selfless that I do find
and I see someone that goes to broken persons
bringing healing, love and peace.
Gert Strydom, 21 september 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 july 2014
When I did loose my heart to you
When I did loose my heart to you,
you did bring a change to my life
and to other people it was but insignificant
but every day it made me glad
and when I did hear your cheerful voice
my heart sang with joy.
When I did loose my heart to you,
you did bring a change to my life
and still you are enchanting me continually,
you are involved in everything that I do
and for you I want to help where I can
as my life do overflow with love for you.
When I did loose my heart to you,
you did bring a change to my life.
Gert Strydom, 7 august 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, 5 june 2014
What does it help?
What does it help to ask
every priest, pastor, elder and deacon
to pray to God,
when God hears the prayer
of anyone that comes to Him?
Or do people think
that God is blind and deaf
or do demand one or other gesture
or act
before He does hear?
Latest comments:
11 may 2024
violetta
To co te kozy dziobią i dlaczego? Co na to aktywiści?
10 may 2024
Jaga
Podobne miałam odczucia, kiedy zobaczyłam wyspę.
10 may 2024
Weronika
Nie wyrzucaj. Niech to będzie memento dla naszej
10 may 2024
W tym sęk, że tam gdzie one się pasą nie
10 may 2024
Wyjadają ostatnie źdźbła:)
10 may 2024
I pomyśleć, że w rzeczy samej podobno Bóg
10 may 2024
To prawda, jest częścią natury :) Dziękuję
10 may 2024
Zdążyłam zrobić foto wśród rzepaku ;))
9 may 2024
Adam Pietras (Barry Kant)
Ech, Eva, miałem pewne przemyślenia związane
9 may 2024
Eva T.
Tak, prosze :)
9 may 2024
jeśli tylko
wycieczka do dachau..
8 may 2024
Odwieczny strach przed porankiem.
11 may 2024
Satish Verma
10 may 2024
Jaga
10 may 2024
wiesiek
10 may 2024
Jaga
10 may 2024
Satish Verma
9 may 2024
wiesiek
8 may 2024
wiesiek
8 may 2024
Satish Verma
7 may 2024
wiesiek
6 may 2024
Satish Verma