REPOS AILLEURS
I want to share this beautiful poem with you. It was written by Jacob Daniël du Toit, better known by his pen name, Totius. I have done the translation into English myself, and I apologise if it sounds a bit clumsy.
The poem was first published in the bundle Wilgerboombogies. The picture below is of the cover of the bundle. It was illustrated by Pierneef, a well known artist, whose works are quite sought after.
| Repos ailleurs | Repos ailleurs |
|---|---|
| (Die rus is elders) | (Rest is elsewhere) |
| In die eensame veld | In the lonely meadow |
| staan 'n tentjie klein, | stands a little tent, |
| en daarnaas in die skeemring | and adjacent in the twilight |
| skuif die ligtende trein; | moves the lightened train; |
| ek sien in die tentjie, | I see in the tent, |
| deur die oop gordyn, | through the open drape |
| 'n tafel met bordjies | a table with dishes |
| en glasies fyn, | and glasses fine, |
| wat sag in die lig | shining softly |
| van die kersie skyn, | in the candlelight |
| en ek dag: "Was ek net | and I think: "Were I but |
| in die tentjie klein, | in the little tent, |
| ek sou tog o so gelukkig syn." | I would have been oh so happy." |
| Naas die eensame tent | By the lonely tent |
| staan 'n meisie klein, | stands a little girl, |
| in stomme bewond'ring | in speechless wonder |
| van die ligtende trein; | of the lightened train; |
| sy sien my geniet | she sees me enjoying |
| my glansende wyn | my sparkling wine |
| en kost'like maal | and lavish meal |
| by elektriese skyn; | by electric shine; |
| en ek raai die gedagte | and I guess the thought |
| van die meisie klein: | of the little girl: |
| "Ag, was ek maar net | "Oh, were I but |
| in die vrolike trein, | in the merry train, |
| ek sou tog o so gelukkig syn." | I would have been oh so happy." |
That is truly beautiful. I tested up reading it. I have been both those people before. I think many of us have.
Wow. This short but powerful. Perspective is everything. Two people from opposite worlds yearning to be part of the other. This is how most of us are. We believe that other people have better lives than us and are happier because they have luxuries we do not to find out that they are miserable. POWERFUL!
Yes, Totius had a brilliant mind, and apparently was rather soft spoken. But wow, he could work economically with words!
I should research him. I might find motivation in his fountain of words.
In my opinion these words are describing the house of heart, means the house of thoughts which we create in our heart, where we live with wisdom, happiness and with billion dreams. Thanks for sharing this poetry with us.🙂
Stay Blessed.