n Winter Sondag in die Middag : A Winter’s Sunday Afternoon
[Poet’s Note : This is an Afrikaans Poem with its English Translation : Form : I don’t know : It could be classified as Metaphysical since it voices direct communion with Divine & visions. This form is not listed on this Site ]
N.P. van Wyk Louw : foremost Afrikaans Poet, Playwright & Scholar
Sara Baartman : the San woman exhibited as a freak in 19th century Europe, labelled & ridiculed as “Hottentot Venus”. Hottentot is regarded as a highly derogatory term in South Africa, similar to calling someone an Unbeliever. Her body was later returned to her birthplace for burial, with much unholy drama (these two personalities sometimes appear to self in dream or meditation state.)
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Sondag middag en die koue wind
waai die wasgoed droeg
Ouma slaap, Oupa kyk sokker
yogurt en piesang vir poeding
N.P. van Wyk Louw en Sara Baartman
kom kuier nie vandag nie
Ek haal asem in
‘n yskoue see van Italia of Griekeland
vloei oor my skewe bene
“Waar drentel jy rond in die winter
as ek hier van jou laggie dink
terwyl my arms bewe?”
God se vir my
“Ek ALLEEN is jou Liefde”
in die stilte veg Hy vir Siel
die yskoue see draai in ‘n oomblik
en weg skuil jy op ‘n klein boot
Sy Son soen my lippies op ‘n
Winter Sondag in die middag
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English Translation
Sunday afternoon and a cold wind
dries washing
Grandma sleeps, Grandpa watches soccer
yogurt and banana for pudding
N.P. van Wyk Louw and Sara Baartman
visits not today
I breathe an ice cold sea from Italy or Greece
it flows over crooked legs
“Where do you wander in winter
as I think about your giggle
whilst my arms shiver ?”
God utters
“I ALONE am your Love.”
in the silence He struggles for Soul
the ice-cold sea swerves in a moment
away you skulk on a small boat
His Sun kisses my lips on a
Winter’s Sunday afternoon
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