Bitter Is The Morning And Also The Bloody Red Sun Poem by Gert Strydom

(after Ingrid Jonker)

In this piercing umbrella-thorn bush
you left me behind with a marriage put on hold
(where I do still care for you, my love,)
without realizing what it costs me.
for no further future I am scared
while by destiny I am caught,
nailed with a thorny-crown on my head
while I long back to the better days with you.
I remain dumbfounded by the pain
and purposeless I feel when the sun is rising,
bitter is the morning and also the bloody red sun
and my life and these things I cannot disguise,
everywhere turnoff roads of acts and words do cut pass
and almost helpless I try to find the way back to you.

[References: "Bitterbessie dagbreek" (Bitter-berry daybreak) by Ingrid Jonker.]
© Gert Strydom