Chris van der Westhuizen

Met 'n warm asem blaas jy, eg
jou versies in die groot wolk weg.
Elkeen geskrywe met ware gevoel
van emosies wat in jou rondwoel.

Die versies is soos sadeblare
wat dwarrel in die wind.
Waar elke sadeblaar
nog 'n tuiste moet vind.

Mag elke saadjie wel
op sagte vrugbare grond ontkiem.
Mag die een in wie se grond dit val
dit sal raaksien en vertroetel.

Mag die saad 'n groot boom vorm
in 'n kleurryke blomme prag.
Mag die boom soetsappige vrugte gee
wat sal dien as kos en krag.

My wens vir jou is om te sien
dat jou versies tog 'n doel dien.
Dat dit nie net jou siel streel
maar wel ook 'n ander kan heel.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2019

Naskrif: Aan my vriendin, Elsa: Baie dankie dat jy jou pragtige gedigte met my deel. Mag hulle aanhou vermenigvuldig, en mag hulle gou hul regmatige tuiste in 'n gepubliseerde digbundel van jou eie vind.

Your Verses Heal

With a warm breath you blow, so true,
your verses into the great cloud’s blue.
Each one written with feelings profound,
from emotions that in you swirl around.

The verses are like seed-leaves in flight,
that swirl and dance in the wind's light.
Where every little seedling-leaf
must still find a home of belief.

May every little seed, indeed,
germinate on soft, fertile ground.
May the one in whose soil it falls
notice and nurture what they have found.

May the seed form a grand, great tree
in a colorful splendor of flowers.
May the tree bear sweet, juicy fruit
to offer food and strength through the hours.

My wish for you is to see and know,
that your verses serve a purpose below.
That they don't only soothe your own soul -
they have the power to make another whole.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2019 (Translated from Afrikaans)

P.S.: To my lady friend, Elsa: Thank you for sharing your beautiful poems with me. May they continue to multiply, and may they soon find their rightful home in a published poetry book of your own.