Deep River.
(Translation of Eugene Marais's 'Diep Rivier'.)
O, deep river, O dark stream
How long did I wait, how long did I dream,
The blade of love turning in my heart
-In your embrace ends all my sorrow;
Quench, deep river, the flame of hate;-
The great longing that never leaves me
I see from far the glitter of steel and gold
I hear the soft murmur of waters deep and cold
I hear your voice whisper in my dreams
Come soon, O deep river, O dark stream.
Centurion, 2003.
Comments
Tom Brown | March 18, 2010 - 18:38
The poem is very tragic. Especially if one thinks how Marais died. He was a phenomenally gifted man but he was misunderstood, and he misunderstood society in turn. It's ironical that Paul Kruger had him tried for high treason and he had to flee to Britain and from there he went on to smuggle weapons in for Kruger through Africa right up from the Congo. His study "Soul of the Ape" (about baboons in the Waterberg) was a seminal work in anthropology.
Obviously you know all this. You’ve translated some poems and clearly you are well familiar with his works.
Thanks Jacques! Enjoyed!