Domineesdogter
My vader, as godsgetuie, het alles gesien
in die glans van die Ongesiene. 'n Droewige saak
op aarde sal in die hemel vergoed word. Sy taak
was die helder opdrag om in te lig en te dien.
Vernaamlik op Sondag. Verder was hy ons vrind
en die vrind van elke ontmoeteling op sy pad.
Hy was, volgens nekrologieë, alom bemind.
Ek kon hom nie volg nie. Ek kan hom nie minder skat.
Clergyman’s Daughter
My father, as God’s witness, has seen all on earth
as suffused by the Unseen. Anything that is sad
below will be made good in heaven. The task he had
was the clear assignment to illuminate and serve.
Chiefly on Sundays. He was otherwise our friend
and the friend of all he met, as they would confess.
He was loved everywhere, obituaries penned.
I could not follow him. Cannot value him any the less.
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