Much Closer To My Soul (Italian Sonnet) Poem by Gert Strydom

(for Annelize, in answer to Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin)

Your talks with me and your tears and laughter,
bonded you so much closer to my soul.
Very lovely now life seems on the whole,
after a nightmare it's a morning-after,

where I do not know what comes hereafter,
in which like actors we both play a role,
I wish you from each ill thing away to stole,
do my utmost to make you glad thereafter.

Away from people that do make a commotion,
from a harsh reality not leaving a thing,
to a place and time without any affliction.
In our lives destiny is always in motion.
Now I pray that God do you in my life bring
as if I am high on you as my addiction.

[Reference: 'An Elegy' by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin.

Poet's note: I am quoting his poem here:


'An Elegy' by Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin

'The senseless years' extinguished mirth and laughter
Oppress me like some hazy morning-after.
But sadness of days past, as alcohol -'
'The more it age, the stronger grip the soul.
My course is dull. The future's troubled ocean
Forebodes me toil, misfortune and commotion.'

'But no, my friends, I do not wish to leave;
I'd rather live, to ponder and to grieve -
And I shall have my share of delectation
Amid all care, distress and agitation:
Time and again I'll savor harmony,
Melt into tears about some fantasy,
And on my sad decline, to ease affliction,
May love yet show her smile of valediction.']