Ruth Fox

Olga Kirsch's poem, "Illusie" followed by an English translation. She was a Jewish poet who lived between 1924 - 1997 and wrote Afrikaans poetry. Illusie Soms as ek in die silwer skemering stap met oë half toe, want die ligte reën prikkel my wange, dans en trippeltrap verby my lippe en om my oë heen, dan sak die stilte in 'n klamme vlaag oor alles, donkergroen en silwergrys die denne, en ek slaan my jas se kraag hoër om my nek. Daar's iets wat eis dat ek meteens met ligter tred moet gaan, met tintelende ekstase in my bloed. Dalk aan die einde van die lange laan gaan ek jou, liefste, ylings tegemoet? Illusion Sometimes as I walk in the silver twilight with eyes half closed, for the gentle rain teases my cheeks, dancing and pitter‐patter; past my lips and around my eyes, then the stillness descends in a wet squall over everything, dark green and silver-grey the pines, and I pull up my coat's collar higher around my neck. Something urges that I must at once walk with lighter steps, with titillating ecstasy in my blood. Perhaps at the end of the long lane, I would mysteriously meet you, most beloved?