My heart is in tatters for Africa. The stories of Xenophobia are frightening and surreal, especially when one is so far away. This poem illustrates it beautifully. I will attempt to translate, with apologies to the poet.
Vreemde Voel Foreign Bird
Die hemel tuimel The heavens tumble
die blou lug en die wolke swaai en draai the blue air and the clouds turn and swivel
ek val I drop down
asemloos breathless
sinneloos thoughtless
leweloos lifeless
Ek het van ver gevlug I fled from afar
van haat, pyn en verminking from hatred, pain and mutilation
ek, banneling I, the outcast
Hier by jou het dit veilig gelyk With you it seemed safe
Ek het sagte musiek hoor fluister I heard the whispers of soft music
deur jou vensters through your windows
Ek dog in jou groen agterplaas I thought Bach's sheep could
kan Bach se skape veilig wei safely graze in your pastures
Ja, ek is anders Yes, I am different
met my skril kras stem with my shrill, loud call
my swarter vere my darker feathers
my parmantige wipspring stappie my arrogant, cheeky gait
My vrou krys en sy skel jou My mate screetches and scolds you
skel jou scolds you
skel jou scolds you
en sy skel my: and she scolds me:
“Staan op, staan op!” "Get up, get up!"
maar die plof van jou projektiel but the plop of your projectile
weergalm nou sagter echoes more quietly now
en dowwer ook die pyn and gentler too, the pain
en ek verdwyn as I disappear
ek, vreemde voël I, foreign bird
© 2008 Chris van der Westhuizen
(from My Kop op 'n Blok.)
NOTE: (In Africa the Indian Mynah birds are seen as intruders, and often shot by farmers.)
Excellent translation of a very touching poem by Chris. Well done Raenette.
ReplyDeleteNo need for apologies, I feel flattered! Wel translated and I'm glad that my feelings can be conveyed to English speaking readers as well.
ReplyDeleteDankie Raenette, ek waardeer dit!
Chris
Thanks for sharing this. I had similar feelings when I wrote "I Weep for Africa". Wayne
ReplyDelete