Ballad Of The Nightly Hours Poem by Gert Strydom

(After N. P. van Wyk Louw)

In the early evening
you were luring right against me
with long legs and breasts
that did dance yearning

and in your eyes a wild glittering
something past enchantment, that thirsts lascivious
for ecstasy and at the table
you did spill some wine over me,

did invite me to your apartment
for coffee and to wash my shirt
but did show me how neatly
and with pleasure I did fit into your depths.

With arms that does surround,
you did lead me to the bed
and overwhelming

did ride me wide legged,
did rake your nails on my back
and later you did lie
right against me

with your hair spread all over the pillow,
your breath burning against my cheek
and I did smell new life in the rain
that was sieving down outside

l'Envoi
and now this morning
that which was between us is flowered out
and withered you do glare at me
and do tell me that death

was present in our caresses last night
as you do carry AIDS
and you want to know quite incidentally
if I have any desire left for you.

[Reference: "Ballade van die nagtelike ure" (Ballad of the nightly hours" by N.P. van Wyk Louw.]