Between Friends Poem by Werner Horne

A translation from Afrikaans of “Tussen Vriende”

Two by two or one by one
Nevertheless a blessing to everyone
Over eager woman at the market
Stuffing silly father Christmases
With wool and feather and
Arms loads of chocolates
For sneaky lovers
Between lives
Between drinks but
Between friends

So we hide year after year
Behind resolutions of bliss and
Raw fish and rice and a better life and
so recedes the dream after Feb
And becomes more real by December and
Yet again we find tears
For lost years
Between Christmas leaves
Between wine filled glasses
And between friends