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Vir Sara Baartman

Ek is hier om jou huis toe te neem, huis toe --
onthou jy die vlaktes,
die welige groen gras onder die groot eikeboom,
die lawende koeltes en die son wat nie steek?
Ek het jou bed berei teen die voet van die berg,
jou komberse uitgedos in boegoe en kruisement.
Daar waar die proteas pronk in geel en wit,
daar sing die rivier jou verwelkomingslied!

Ek is hier om jou weg te skeur,
weg van die snyende oë van die monster
wat wegkruip in die donker met sy kloue van haat,
wat jou ligaam versnipper, stukkie vir stukkie,
jou siel vergelyk met dié van satan
en syne vergelyk met dié van God!

Ek is hier om jou te troos,
jou moeë hart teen my bors vas te hou,
die palms van my hande oor jou wange te vou
die lyne in jou nek met my lippe te streel
en jou ewige skoonheid in my oë te onthou.
Ek is hier om vir jou te sing
want ek het vir jou vrede gebring.

Ek is hier om jou huis toe te neem,
daar waar die oeroue berge jou naam uitroep!
Ek het jou bed berei teen die voet van die berg,
jou komberse uitgedos in boegoe en kruisement.
Daar waar die proteas pronk in geel en wit,
daar sing die rivier jou verwelkomingslied.
Ek is hier om jou huis toe te neem
waar ek vir jou sal sing
want jy het ook vrede vir my gebring;
want jy het ook vrede vir ons gebring.

 

Author's commentary on "Vir Sara Baartman"

I've come to take you home --
home, remember the veld?
the lush green grass beneath the big oak trees
the air is cool there and the sun does not burn.
I have made your bed at the foot of the hill,
your blankets are covered in buchu and mint,
the proteas stand in yellow and white
and the water in the stream chuckle sing-songs
as it hobbles along over little stones.

I have come to wretch you away -
away from the poking eyes
of the man-made monster
who lives in the dark
with his clutches of imperialism
who dissects your body bit by bit
who likens your soul to that of Satan
and declares himself the ultimate god!

I have come to soothe your heavy heart
I offer my bosom to your weary soul
I will cover your face with the palms of my hands
I will run my lips over lines in your neck
I will feast my eyes on the beauty of you
and I will sing for you
for I have come to bring you peace.

I have come to take you home
where the ancient mountains shout your name.
I have made your bed at the foot of the hill,
your blankets are covered in buchu and mint,
the proteas stand in yellow and white -
I have come to take you home
where I will sing for you, for
you have brought me peace.
you have brought us peace.