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WYS MY DIE PLEK

Wys my die plek waar ons saam gestaan het,
Eens, toe jy myne was -
Vroeër, voor jou liefde vir my getaan het,
Vroeër, toe jy myne was.
Kyk, dis dieselfde; die silwer see
Blink in die sonskyn, soos lang verlee
Dit eenmaal geblink het, 'n welkomsgroet
Vir ons liefde wat uithou en alles vergoed.

Wys my die plek waar ons saam gekniel het,
Eens, toe jy myne was -
Vroeër, toe een siel vir ons saam besiel het,
Vroeër, toe jy myne was.
Kyk, dis dieselfde; die hemel, blou,
Lag soos voorheen op my en op jou;
Dit skitter nog altyd 'n welkomsgroet
Vir ons liefde wat uithou en alles vergoed.

Wys my die plek waar ons saam geloop het,
Eens, toe jy myne was -
Vroeër, toe ons harte so veel gehoop het,
Vroeër, toe jy myne was.
Kyk, dis dieselfde! Net jy nie. Vra,
Wie van ons twee moet die meeste dra ?
Jy wat vergeet het - of ek wat boet
Vir my liefde wat uithou en alles vergoed ?

by C. Louis Leipoldt (ca. 1880 - 1947)


SHOW ME THE PLACE

Show me the place where we stood side by side,
Once, when you were mine -
Earlier, before your love for me died,
Earlier, when you were mine.
Look, it's the same, the silver sea
Shines in the sun's rays, just as before
It once shined, a welcoming
For our love that endured and everything enhanced.

Show me the place where we knelt together,
Once, when you were mine -
Earlier, when one soul possessed us,
Earlier, when you were mine.
Look, it's the same, the sky, so blue,
Smiles just as before on me and on you,
It continues to shine as a welcoming
For our love that endures and everything enhances.

Show me the place where we use to walk,
Once, when you were mine -
Earlier, when our hearts hoped so much,
Earlier, when you were mine.
Look, it's the same! Except for you. Ask,
Which one of us has the most to bear ?
You, who has forgotten - or me, that has to pay
For my love that endures and all enhances ?

My very own English Translation of one (there's many) of my favourite Afrikaans poems -
Wys my die Plek (Show me the Place) by C. Louis Leipoldt (ca. 1880 - 1947)

Never had the sun shone brighter than the day I saw it light your face.
With a golden finger, it slowly caressed it's way across your bronzed, golden skin.

In pure enchantment I watched as the warm Indian Ocean lapped against your feet.
Your rhythmic walk seemed to echo the seductive beat of the sea.

Can you hear the sigh of my heart over the mighty ocean's song?
For, if only you stopped for a while...
You would feel my warm kisses in every ray of golden sunshine;
you would feel my tender touch when the ocean sweeps over your skin.
And my gentle whispers would be heard when the cool breeze whistles in your ear.

If only you stopped for just a short while...
then you would know what I feel when I see you walk beside the shore...
Yes, then you would know!

By Melissa aka Honeybe

His steps tell of mysteries not yet told.
He walks in a way that makes the earth sway.
His legs hold the ground like pillars of gold.
When he moves, the angels start in joyful play.

He speaks of everyday mundane things,
yet my heart moves to the sound of his voice like mesmerised dancers to melodic beats.

His eyes reflect heaven's own lustrious glory,
and when he looks at me the clouds seem to give way to the break of early day.

With his arms around me,
the earth may fall apart and heaven may throw down each and every star.
And still my world would stand as firm as before,
as long as I have his arms around me.

And even if every worldly wonder should fade and every heavenly grace should cease,
His praises will remain through eternity for all to see.

By Melissa aka Honeybe