Chris van der Westhuizen

Ek besef opnuut weer
die nietigheid van die mens.
’n Geliefde vriend van my,
geskiet in sy bed,
so in sy drome
van môre se pret.

Ek stap vanoggend in die veld
deur bossies en gras.
Elke trap wat ek gee,
’n pyn dieper in my.
Elke knak van ’n grassie
herinner my weer:

Hoe nietig is die mens,
met soveel drome en vooruitsigte;
hoe maklik kan wraak van die dood
jou verslind.
Besef ek werklik die kort duur van my lewe?
Besef ek - ek moet versoen met God.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '1996 (3de Jaar)

A Fleeting Realisation

Once more, I realise again
How small and frail is man.
A friend I loved so dearly
Was shot while fast asleep - 
Still caught within a hopeful dream
Of joy the next day planned to keep.

This morning through the fields I walked,
Through thorn and grassy land.
Each step I took pressed on my soul,
A deeper pain at hand.
Each brittle stalk that snapped beneath
Brought back the truth to me:

How fleeting man must be - 
With dreams so bold and grand.
How swift can death’s dark vengeance come
And wipe them from the sand.
Do I truly grasp how short this life I’m living is?
Do I see my need to make my peace with God?

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '1996 (3rd Year - Translated from Afrikaans)