Chris van der Westhuizen

'n Geskilderde hemelliggaam,
met pastelkleur verf getooi,
hang bo liggrys wolke
in vermengings van geel en rooi.

Eers sien jy die stormwinde -
'n skip wil op rotse strand.
Tog sien jy aan die anderkant
God se reddingshand.

Aan die eenkant: rou erosie -
die aarde is verstrooid.
Duskant is terrasse blomme
in skakerings so mooi.

Sien jy die prentjie?

Die son is energiegewend,
’n lig op die weg,
maar ook maklik brandend -
om alles te verskroei.

Die wolke wat reën gee
en alles op aarde laat blom,
kan ook in donderstorms
spruitjies in mere vermom.

Ek en jy is ook daar binne,
maar is goed vermom.
Wat ek alles sien
slaan my sommer stom.

Al is alles hoe teenstrydig,
is die sproeireën, wolke
en sonstrale saam gegooi.

Die helderkleurigste reënboog,
wat groot oor die Monet strek,
is die resultaat wat onthou word -
dis God se wonderwerk.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2002

Do You See the Picture?

A painted heavenly body,
clothed in pastel shades,
hangs above pale grey clouds
in blends of red and gold.

First, you see the stormwinds -
a ship nears rocky shore.
Yet on the other side, you’ll see
God’s saving hand once more.

One side shows raw erosion -
the earth all torn apart.
This side, rows of flowers bloom
in colours warm and bright.

Do you see the picture?

The sun brings light and power,
a lamp upon the path,
but just as quick, it scorches -
its heat can bring forth wrath.

The clouds that bless with rainfall
and make the meadows grow,
may also bring a thunderstorm
and flood the land below.

You and I are in it too,
but hidden deep within.
What I now behold in full
leaves me without words.

Though all things seem opposing - 
rainclouds, mist, and bright warm sun,
they gather and blend into one.

The rainbow, bold with colour,
a Monet stretched wide and far,
is what remains remembered -
God’s wonder from afar.

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2002 (Translated from Afrikaans)