Chris van der Westhuizen

Die winter klop aan met grys gedagtes,
en wind wat deur jou wese waai,
die bome kaal, jou siel ontnugter,
en hoop lyk ver, verby die draai.
Maar selfs die sneeu smelt onder gras,
moenie vrees nie -
ook dit sal verbygaan.

Die somer bring sy vreugdesuur,
met son wat dans op lewensmuur,
die lag is lig, die wêreld blink,
jy voel weer sterk, jy leef, jy drink -
maar selfs dié tyd, so warm en vas,
sal eendag stilweg
ook verbygaan.

Die herfs herinner aan wat val,
aan loslaat wat jy lief kon hou,
die kleure mooi, maar tog verganklik,
’n seisoen vol afskeid, sag en gou.
So leer die hart om sag te vra:
as alles draai -
wat sal bly ná dit verbygaan?

En in die lente, tussen blom en droom,
wanneer nuwe lewe deur skeure stroom,
dan dink jy dalk, met ’n stil geloof:
was daardie winter tog nie stroef -
maar noodsaaklik, soos elke tree,
om te ontdek:
wat nie sal verbygaan.

Want bo die krag van tyd,
staan Iemand wat die tye span.
Hy hou die somer én die sneeu,
Hy ken die pyn, die lag, die vreugde.
En Hy fluister deur seisoen en stryd:
"My kind, wees kalm -
Selfs dit sal verbygaan."

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2025 

Even This Too Shall Pass

The winter knocks with silent dread,
Its winds cut deep, your joy feels dead.
The trees stand bare, your hope feels lost,
A dream once held, now gently tossed.
But even snow gives way to grass - 
Don’t lose your grip - 
This too shall pass.

Then summer comes with golden cheer,
Its laughter ringing bright and clear.
The sun lights up your heart again,
You breathe, you love, you're free from pain.
But even joy, though bold and vast,
Will slowly fade - 
And also pass.

Autumn reminds of all that falls,
Of letting go when memory calls.
Its colors shine, yet fade so fast,
A season brief, too sweet to last.
And so the heart learns how to ask:
When all things turn - 
What still will last?

Then spring returns with bloom and grace,
As life breaks through each fractured place.
You wonder then, with quiet trust:
Was winter really harsh and just?
Each step, though cold, was meant to be
To help you find
What will not flee.

For above the grip of time’s decay,
Stands One who holds both night and day.
He holds the summer and the snow,
He knows the tears, the joy we show.
He whispers through each storm and trial:
“My child, take heart - 
Even this too shall pass.”

                              Chris M. v/d Westhuizen '2025 (Translated from Afrikaans)