A basic introduction the poetry of the two wolves fighting.

The basis of all my deepest poems spring from an old Cherokee legend -A tale of two wolves. Entwined with love, pain, disaster, humiliation, surrender, hope, strength and peace, this is my archive of existence within the world of these two opposing forces. I invite you to dwell within these pages, to drink form its knowledge and gather inspiration from its truth. Thank you for visiting the two wolves fighting within you - within us all.



The Two Wolves Fighting: A Short Story



An old grandfather said to his grandson, who came to him with anger at a friend who had done him an injustice, "Let me tell you a story. I too, at times, have felt a great hate for those that have taken so much, with no sorrow for what they do.

But hate wears you down, and does not hurt your enemy. It is like taking poison and wishing your enemy would die. I have struggled with these feelings many times." He continued, "It is as if there are two wolves inside me. One is good and does no harm. He lives in harmony with all around him, and does not take offense when no offense was intended. He will only fight when it is right to do so, and in the right way.

But the other wolf, ah! He is full of anger. The littlest thing will set him into a fit of temper. He fights everyone, all the time, for no reason. He cannot think because his anger and hate are so great. It is helpless anger,for his anger will change nothing.

Sometimes, it is hard to live with these two wolves inside me, but they exist in opposition for all time as long as you live. And both of them try to dominate my spirit."

The boy looked intently into his grandfather's eyes and asked, "Which one wins at the end, grandfather?"

The Grandfather said quietly and passionately, "The one you feed, my boy."

Wednesday 15 June 2011

Die Planeet Garries

nat is die aand wat om die draai van hierdie dag vir my wag
ek glimlag in die oë van spieëls voor in die huisdou vorm op die gras
en op die ou chevy ruimtetuig onder die stoep buite die agterdeur
is daar ‘n hond wat met rooi en geel tande wag

ek haal vinnig asem oor die skape en suurbrood verdwyn my gedagtes
ek bly stil en luister hoe hulle oor my praat
ek onthou vir sersant somers onder die kwepers in die kapokkombers
hoe hy al wat mens is wou lasting val met die ding
soos mens met mense maak wat jy vertrou

is die ruimtemannetjies afkomstig van die planet Garries
daar waar die regering onlangs diamante ontdek het
daardie afgeleë planeetjie waarop hulle nou hul swart pootjies wil sit
my oom se plaas is daarmee heen –
daan, deon en gryntjie s’n ook

die vertrek in die voorkamer is so koud soos sweet
die diamatkoors en die donderverdriet pak almal beetek
moet myself vashou om die rukke van my liggaam te stil

ons planeet. ons toekoms. ons plasies bestaan al vanaf die begin van tyd vanaf japie,
ou afbeen neels en tant mietsie se krismiskonfyt
maar diamante is vir ewig
diamante is dood se sake
diamante is ‘n towerkristal wat almal in kraaie verander
op ‘n plek waar die springbok nie meer loop
treur ons in ons droogte waar die engelklippies in groot FBI landstropers rondgeskud word

is daar gate waar ons planeet eens was
dieper as die tyd toe ons God en die dood sou vrees
toe ons nog hande vasgehou het en gelukkig kon wees
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