ODE (JOHAN DE JAGER)
English translation
I am a farmer and I have eaten my bread
sometimes dry; sometimes with coffee
as only we can make it
Early in the morning in Africa.
And I had led the team in this countries warm sun
with his crickets; his tailor birds; his warm air that lies endlessly (infinitely)
above the bushveld tree
Early in the morning in Africa.
And in the evening I walked home tired of bending and felling, (bending and
felling) to clean the fields
- and the sun goes down under the Ysterberge (mountain range) and at sunset
all the sounds sound louder,
more intimate, nearer and the first fires burns already
- all sunset evenings are sad in Africa.
My hands are rough as rough as machinery
Nothing scares me - my own fear does not scare me
Because
I am as rough as Africa
As unpredictable as Africa
as merciless as Africa
My Africa.
