Lost and Found

I only very recently discovered Johnny Flynn, a South African-born (like me!) English musician and actor. His music is poetry in its own right. I particularly love his single 'Lost and Found'. It's sad, but so beautiful. I've cried while listening to it.

This is my tribute to the lost and found...

Lost and Found

 I may have lost you

But I found our memories

I found our bond

Still tucked inside my heart

I may have lost you

But I found comfort

I found the wisdom of your words

Still hidden in my mind

I may have lost you

But I found my place

 I found your prayers

Will lead me home

Andrea Vermaak

Gratitude

Today, I want to express my gratitude for the small things that make me happy. Even the small things can place our lives in perspective when we think of those who do not have them...

I am grateful

I am grateful for the air I breathe

And the soft light of the winter morning sun

While many choke on fumes of mustard gas

And hide in the darkness of their fears

I am grateful for the lizards in my garden

And the moths around my front door light

While many feet will never feel grass again

And never breathe in the sweetness of flowers

I am grateful for my tiny flat

And my family ten minutes away

While many live alone in blasted concrete shells

That were once there homes

I am grateful for my morning coffee

And sad songs on the radio

While many will never taste,

Nor hear sweet melodies again

I am grateful for laughter

And great slices of creamy cake

While a smile is but a distant memory

For those who cry from hunger

I am grateful for sad movies

And friends who cry with me

Yet we could never understand

The pain of those who have nothing left

Andrea Vermaak

A tribute

Tonight, I choose not to follow the daily prompt. Tonight, I pay tribute to those who cared regardless of race or creed during the most devastating war our world has seen, World War II.

I've just arrived home from watching The Zookeeper's Wife, which has inspired me to write. It should be compulsory viewing for all living, breathing souls. My heart was in my throat the entire time and many tears where shed, both during and after the movie. It is heartbreaking, breathtaking, magnificent storytelling at its very finest.

We can never know

We can never know

No, not even try to understand

Your pain

Your fear

Your loss

Yet you put yourself aside

Selflessly giving

Sharing

Keeping secrets

Hiding deep-seated emotions

Behind masks of fake smiles

To keep friends safe

How can we even think

That we understand 

The shame of your lies

Your anxiety of showing

The slightest flicker 

Of truth in your eyes

We will never understand 

Your kind of hunger

Your sacrifices

Your worries

Your sleepless nights

To keep lives from death

Yet our leaders still play games 

Still push boundaries

But hope the world 

Will never come to that again

If only we could understand 

Andrea Vermaak

 

Elegy

This prompt hits home rather hard. Three of my grandparents passed away last year. This elegy is for my grandpa, George, who passed away first. It was a horrible shock to the whole family, but he lives on in my heart and mind with much, much love.

*Takes a deep breath...

George

 Your walking stick

Does not replace you,

Does not bring us comfort,

Though you threatened to hit

Anyone who'd hurt us with it

Your hat

Does not suit

Or fit anyone else

Though we'd prefer to see it

Again on you anyway

Your booming voice,

Your shaking shoulders

As you'd chuckle to yourself

Can still be heard across the months

That you've not been here

I miss your interruptions

And your phone calls

To help you with an email

I miss typing your illegible scribbles

And filling in your missing punctuation

Most of all, I miss you

Calling me from across your flat

"Annie, my girl, come here!"

And your long-winded stories

About how you knew everyone

(which you indeed did!)

And how you listened

You really, really listened

You made us French toast

And vetkoek 

And the best onion rings ever

I miss your profound wisdom

And your sharp humour

I miss your interest in me

I loved your garden

I still love you

You did your best

And gave your all

We are blessed

And yet we're empty without you 

Andrea Vermaak

(I have to stop now before I become dehydrated from crying too much. This is one of the most difficult poems I've ever written.)

 

Short and sharp

The prompt for today is to write a poem inspired by the poetry style of Kay Ryan: 'short, tight lines, rhymes interwoven throughout, maybe an animal or two' and, if we could manage it, 'a sharp little philosophical conclusion'.

Here goes:

To be

To be is to live,

Or is it more?

It is to breathe

And so much more

It is to walk

And talk

And stumble

And laugh

It is to smile

And grumble

It is to love

And be loved

To feel 

With everything

That

Is to be

To be alive

Andrea Vermaak

 

Haibun

It's been a while since I took part in NaPoWriMo...I've missed writing poetry.

Today's prompt is to write a haibun, a combination of prose and haiku. This is my attempt (I hope I understand haiban correctly!):

To travel is to wonder

To travel is to wonder

Where ev' you may be

At all the sights you may see

Castles, mountains, lakes and trees

All glisten in the misty morn'

Their secrets belong to the fairies

But won't be theirs for long

Old farms and their crooked gates

Along paths tread for many years

Welcome every free wanderer born

Their weary feet to rest

Cities we shall leave behind

With all their noise and busy streets

To wonder at the simplicity,

The beauty of travel

Andrea Vermaak

Dedication

I dedicate this poem to my mom, who always supports my crazy writing endeavours...

 

Thank you, Mom

 

Thanks, Mom

For stroking my ego

When I think my work

Is not good enough

 

Thanks, Mom

For deflating my ego

When I think my work

Is better than anyone's

 

Thanks, Mom

For loving

My masterpieces

And my rubbish

 

Thanks, Mom

For letting me write

Even when the world

Thinks I'm crazy.

 

 

Andrea Vermaak