The talented South African poet, Don Beukes, translated some of my poetry into Afrikaans.  

Here is the first one.

Kitaar*Guitar

Van blokke en houtstukke

Was jy geskep.

Nou, `n perfekte instrument.

`n Bewys van kundige hande wat jou geskep het.

Jou perfekte musikale toon,

`n Bewys van die vermoë van hom wie jou speel.

Jy inspireer hom, die speler,

Om waardig te bekom deur jou potensiaal te reflekteer,

Die vermoë van soete liedjies

Of opwindende refreine

Knus geleë in jou kitaarstaander,

Jy kom altyd so moerig voor,

Asof die verwaarloosheid jou hele wese wegvreet.

Jy is bedoel om aangeraak te word,

Bedoel om vasgehou te word,

As `n minnaar, `n spesiale vriend,

`n Puik metgesel

met eindelose musikale moontlikhede,

Om wedersyds geniet te word deur speler en luisteraar,

`n Verhouding om `n leeftyd te hou.

Guitar

From blocks and strips of wood

you were created.

Now, a perfect instrument.

A testament to expert hands that built you.

Your perfect tone,

a testament to the ability of he who plays you.

You inspire him, the player,

to become worthy of reflecting your potential,

the capability of sweet songs,

or rousing choruses.

Nestled in your stand,

you always appear so morose,

as if the neglect

eats at your very essence.

You're meant to be touched,

meant to be held,

as a lover, a close friend,

a great companion

with endless musical possibilities,

to be enjoyed by player and listener alike.

A relationship to last a lifetime.

Original Poems by © Linda Imbler

Translated by © Don Beukes