Chris van der Westhuizen

Julle sê, as jy jouself uitgee as ’n toffie, sal jy gekou word.
Ongelukkig kou honde aan enigiets.
Hierdie toffie se menswees word egter al kleiner gekou...
Is besig om weg te kwyn onder die druk van jul tande.

Dit het op die punt gekom dat my eie smaak my walg!

As ek vir myself opkom - hoe ironies...
word ek afgemaak as belaglik, oorsensitief,
as die ’sturrer’ wat oneenheid in die groep oproep.
Hipokrates, dink ek by myself - julle boelies!

Geen reëls en regulasies bestaan hierteen,
soos in die geval van ’n rasistiese woord.
Hoe bewys mens hierdie subtiele gekouery?
Julle kom weg met moord!

Bekommer julle nie verder, nie dat julle eintlik sou!
Ek sal binnekort verteer wees!
Ek sal binnekort verdwyn!
Ek sal binnekort... uit julle lewe wees!

Ek sal binnekort ’n nagedagtenis wees
van ’n toffie met ’n liefdevolle hart
wat maar net verslind moes word!

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2017 (Gedigte deel 3 van 6)

Dog Eats Dog

You say if you give yourself out as a toffee, you’ll get chewed up.
But dogs chew on anything.
This toffee’s humanity is being gnawed away...
Fading under the pressure of your teeth.

It’s come to the point that even my own taste disgusts me!

When I stand up for myself - how ironic...
I’m torn down as ridiculous, oversensitive,
The ‘troublemaker’ stirring unrest in the group.
Hypocrites, I think to myself - you bullies!

No rules or regulations protect against this
Like they do against a racist word.
How do you prove this subtle chewing?
You get away with murder!

Don’t care any further - not that you ever would!
I’ll soon be devoured!
I’ll soon disappear!
I’ll soon... be out of your life!

I will soon be a memory
Of a toffee with a loving heart
Who was simply meant to be devoured!

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2017 (Poems part 3 of 6 - Translated from Afrikaans)