nucleus

Here is an English translation of an Afrikaans poem I wrote a year ago. It is one of those poems that came pouring out in one sitting. I love re-reading and performing it. I have been reluctant to post the translation, simply because I prefer the Afrikaans version. Anyway, let me put the translation out here as well <

nucleus

there hides a desire in the depths

that quietly waits  - dormantly ecstatic

it is haunting how the spark

begins to tremble with the anticipation of the arrival

of the creative tornado

the soil is rich

look how we pour the deeply-sunken metals

from the primordial crucible

my clay-body resonates with the volcanic eruption

with this blood that does not stop flowing

throbs the pulsation of the imminent celebration

the crests of the waves hang for a few moments

longer in the silver shine of the sun

my hair stands on end

from all the voices that encircle me

so full of life is organica

so many waves in each day

so much mercurial spinning in the brain

the search for satiation knows no end

the heart keeps on whirling even when the void comes knocking on the door

the ground gets cold in the winter

the tracks are blown away

yet the life keeps on quaking

the primordial becomes older

the incantations become more contrapuntal

and the limbs become swifter

in these days that grow wings so rapidly

the elements are merciless

how they break down the skin

still the pulse remains deep and strong

the willpower is undaunted

in the fight against the shame

against the fear

against the flesh
and

against the dark

every morning my spine thaws

and truly, it is my wings that keep on stirring

right into the primordial nucleus

of sensation of the embryonic darkness that

luckily has enough throat

to groan with the stubborn will of flight