Binnewaak / Inward Gaze

Binnewaak

suutjies wriemel kleine baba
se naeltjies teen haar buik, 
        terwyl haar oë weg gluur
        na die alledaagse stryd.
sy ogies traan onwetend, 
sy neus se snorkies kruip –
        maar haar ore stomp hul af;
        hordes ander kwale fluit.
“vergeet my nie, o skepper! 
dit is my hart se pleit.”
        haar kop kap klippe;
        sy probeer die dood ontwyk. 
“ek’s saam met jou vir ewig,
in jou hart gaan ek bly sluip.”
       begin tog vinnig binne waak
       en sien lewe daarso wyk!
    Ek wens ek kon nog meer sê,
    maar jy moet dit self begryp;
    ons het een voet binne tyd,
    en ‘n ander in die ewigheid.

Inward Gaze

the tiny baby softly fondles
his nails against her belly,
        while her eyes stare away
        towards the everyday struggle.
his eyes tear unbeknownst,
his snores are cutesy-crawly –
        but her ears keep themselves blunt;
        hordes of other ailments whistle.
“don’t forget me, oh creator!
this is my heart’s plea.”
        her head is crushing stones;
        death’s what she’s trying to evade.
“I am with you forever,
in your heart I’ll always be.”
        please quickly shift your gaze inward       
        and find life living there!
    I wish I could say more,
    but you yourself will have to perceive;
    we have one foot within time,
    and another in eternity.

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