(translated from the Afrikaans om MA te wees)
Dressed up in catch phrases and carefully chosen words,
I could turn you into a cliché in a Hallmark card as well,
but pretence would do you an injustice, for you are not like that.
My thoughts want to hook themselves onto sweet little nothings
and I have to will myself away from stereotypical phrases which would,
whilst I am searching for your scope, merely reflect your silhouette.
At last I conclude that words fall short of you,
because a search through the worlds tongues fail to capture you.
You are mentioned in every language, your aroma wafting through every country,
your breath on the faces of the worlds children, your soul in the poetry of the ages,
your spirit in the eyes, the hands and the hearts of the caregivers,
but still my words fail to grab hold of you, because you are too big for me.
And so I turn myself to the multitudes who adore you
and we stretch our arms out wide and linking hands we encircle you,
satisfied each with our own portion, because to us you are enough.
