South Africa

Icon

sprinkles of stardust ~ colouring a black midnight ~ into a rainbow —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 10/05/2020

it’s a distant sport ~ give us a little freedom ~ in this crazy world —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 30/04/2020

we want to obey ~ but it’s too draconian ~ without smokes or wine —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 21/04/2020

the effects are harsh ~ but a uniform away ~ the much needed help —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 12/04/2020

as hunger sets is ~ these are the few lucky ones ~ with two weeks to go —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 08/04/2020

when not giving up ~ is harder for some of us ~ than is imagined —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 05/03/2020

township dilemma ~ mass evacuations planned ~ may no harm be done —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 04/03/2020

the U-turns abound: ~ does it have to be so hard ~ to do the right thing? —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 02/03/2020 am

a vibrant waistcoat ~ does not give you immunity ~ please keep your distance —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 01/03/2020

losing the giants ~ on whose shoulders we may stand ~ world a poorer place —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 31/03/2020 am

three pensioners die ~ because they still have to queue ~ for their social grants —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa 30/03/2020 am

tired and concerned ~ sad responsibility ~ on leader-shoulders —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa: Thanking all who place their lives on the line.

South Africa 29/03/2020 am

can we curb the spread ~ with rubber bullets flying ~ in the face of fear? —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa: Thanking all who place their lives on the line.

South Africa 28/03/2020

most unequal world ~ when lockdown priority ~ is simply water —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa: Thanking all who place their lives on the line.

South Africa 27/03/2020 pm

in these chilling times ~ may it be a change for good ~ homeless helped from the streets —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa: Thanking all who place their lives on the line.

South Africa 27/03/2020 am

silent autumn day ~ waking up with sad news of ~ first fatalities —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa: Thanking all who place their lives on the line.

South Africa 26/03/2020

“there will be no dogs” ~ we brace for strict enforcement ~ of the lockdown rules —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Soweto rising

found in the ashes ~ if a heart that is burning ~ with every day’s light —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Untouchables

right here by my side ~ with us just a thought away ~ silent Karoo night —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Steenbokfontein, South Africa: November 2019

carefully wrapped words ~ sending out paper roses ~ in a thousand lines —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

From my window: Upington, South Africa April 2019

a river of thought ~ without pretense and control ~ slipping from my pen —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa Voting

new ANC’s greed ~ does what Apartheid couldn’t do ~ it destroys our dreams —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Johannesburg

being black and white ~ you bring all the shades of grey ~ a colourful mix —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Black & White

searching with my words ~ finding answers in your prose ~ losing both our worlds —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

From my window: Grahams Town, South Africa, November 2018

in parallel lines ~ together but never one ~ journeys of our minds —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Still Bay

writing silent words ~ “in the light of a lighthouse” ~ on secluded shores —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Morning after

a Highveld morning ~ and in each lingering drop ~ the storm is captured — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Handouts

bird songs and soft rain ~ my early-morning greetings ~ lovely Highveld gifts — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Wish

I wanted to see ~ the blue-blue sky in one word ~ the stars in your mind — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa — © Photo: Riemvasmaak 2018/04

Stuck

when I said goodbye ~ you picked up your blue suitcase ~ but then could not leave — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa — Photo: Hermanus 2016/11

Trust

I leave my fragments ~ without regret or restraint ~ safely in your hands — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa — Photo: Darling 2016/11

Wind

absolutely still ~ gazing at the horizon ~ I hear you calling — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa — Photo: Karoo 2018/04

Timeless

I bring a pebble ~ like an Antarctic penguin’s ~ eternal fondness — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa — Photo: Betty’s Bay 2016/11

Pink stones

living for today ~ cherishing our yesterdays ~ dreaming tomorrows — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa — Photo: Upington 2016/11

Plain

this is who I am ~ I am what I create ~ as simple as that — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa — Photo: Babylonstoren 2016/11

Pretoria spring

lilac in your eyes ~ from the jacaranda blossoms ~ only once a year — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa17

Augrabies: South Africa, April 2018

it is in the gap ~ the space between mountains ~ that we find our way — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Enamel

inequality ~ reflected in our objects ~ still not redundant — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Through the gate

she opens her arms ~ to embrace the sand and shrubs ~ Kalahari dawn — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Betty’s Bay, South Africa; July 2018

these are our mind-songs ~ music that moves us to stillness ~ in a world of noise — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

From my window: Hermanus, South Africa; July 2018

calm against the storm ~ stillness within the restless ~ silent moments shared — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Lustre

Paternoster beach ~ blue mussel shells glistening ~ in the morning sun — © Lize Bard 2 Haiku out of Africa

Students

you colour my life ~ an unexpected rainbow ~ in all shades of grey — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Stark truths

Africa shouting ~ against past injustices ~ should we best whisper? — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Kalahari dusk: April 2018

a dream in pink clouds ~ floating by my windowpane ~ carries me away — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Eyeycontact

I watch you dancing ~ your soul captured in each step ~ your heart in motion

April day

the delicate touch ~ of autumn on the Highveld ~ today’s little joy — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

No-shoes haiku

barefoot through my mind ~ no charade or holding back ~ words I share with you — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Soweto, South Africa: March 2018

farewell my dear friend ~ our last summer was well spent ~ our futures unknown — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Namaqualand

over the bleak flats ~ Namaqualand sprouts colour ~ that discerns no bounds — Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

South Africa: February 2018

deep sigh of relief ~ cautiously optimistic ~ singing in parliament — © Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

The obtuse X-president

what have I done wrong? ~ you have raped, lied and looted ~ with your bankrupt soul —© Lize Bard @ Haiku out of Africa

Kalahariland

on this wide landscape ~ the earth folds back on herself ~ to protect her heart

@ Haiku out of Africa

At peace

blue mountains folding ~ their peacefulness around us ~ breathing in stillness

Illusions

barefoot in the rain ~ Johannesburg’s streets scorching ~ we were never free

What’s left of Rooipoort

here you went to school ~ here you made a love promise ~ a lifetime ago

@ Haiku out of Africa

We are the rocks

what is a woman? ~ we are soft and kind and strong ~ we are who we are

Skin

when you asked bluntly ~ what is it like to be white? ~ I was lost for words

©Lize Bard

@ Haiku out of Africa

Teaching in South Africa

all in a day’s work ~ hunger, rape, aids and pregnancy ~ my heart is breaking

Zuma’s ANC creates desolate poverty

new ANC’s greed ~ does what Apartheid couldn’t do ~ it destroys our dreams

©Lize Bard

The vulgar greed of our leader/s: South Africa June 2017

ANC stalwarts ~ how could you let this happen? ~ our land is broken

©Lize Bard

Zuma legacy

after two decades ~ townships a reality ~ but it should not be

©Lize Bard

From my window: Hermanus, South Africa, November 2016

I fly with your soul ~ and return you to the sea ~ always to come back

©Lize Bard

Do they know?

the child is not dead ~ young Africans lift their fists ~ not sure against whom

©Lize Bard

Homo naledi: Maropeng, South Africa, May 2017

another fossil ~ rewriting our history ~ we’re all African

Lize Bard

Haiku out of Africa

African voices

it’s a melody ~ that caresses my still heart ~ ’till she falls apart

©Lize Bard

In memory of a murdered child: Colighny South Africa April 2017

it was just last week ~ I too picked a sunflower ~ yet I got to live

©Lize Bard

Today: April 2016

the delicate touch ~ of autumn on the Highveld ~ today’s little joy

South Africa: enough is enough!

our message is clear ~ but our leaders remain deaf ~ rotten to the core

©Lize Bard

In memory of the giants: South Africa, April 2017

you can loot the state ~ but you cannot loot our souls ~ as we rise as one

©Lize Bard

Nothing

no promises made ~ no answers in the echoes ~ only empty space

Gordon’s Bay, South Africa: October 2016

I have now escaped ~ going back to Gordon’s Bay ~ where we used to play

Dorp

rain on the zinc roof ~ dry red dust between my toes ~ child of Africa

Franschoek: South Africa, October 2016

timeless travellers ~ we are at home everywhere ~ and nowhere at all

Under African skies

we looked at the moon ~ the southern cross in the sky ~ that’s how it began

Tokara sunset over Cape Town: South Africa, November 2016

city lights like stars ~ come through the dark from afar ~ guiding wanderers

Spirit of Madiba

watching over us ~ as our struggles continue ~ in this complex land

–

Cape Town flower vendor

red tulips today ~ blue renunkels tomorrow ~ the man just smiles

Best gifts

bird songs and soft rain
my early-morning greetings
lovely Highveld gifts

Silent wings

hear the silence fly
in the mountains around us
through the cloudy sky

Heat

the oppressing heat
–
of a Lowveld afternoon
–
one can hardly breathe

Paternoster, South Africa: November 2004

Paternoster beach
–
blue mussel shells glistening
–
in the morning sun

Keimoes, South Africa: November 2016

she opens her arms
–
to embrace the sand and shrubs
–
Kalahari dawn

South African reflection 003

I see your eyes
–
universes separate
–
we share a moment

South African reflection 002

under open skies
–
far from the squeeze of the crowd
–
all seems plentiful

Hermanus, South Africa: October 2016

I’m a floating gull
–
drifting on the ocean’s breeze
–
happy to just be

South African reflection 001

In my hands

a fist full of dreams
–
is all I have to bring
–
will that be enough?

Gordon’s Bay, South Africa: October 2016

on a windless day
–
blue reflections float away
–
while gulls drift and play

Yesterday

found my emotions
–
lost in a grey Pierneef cloud
–
that you will not see

Daisies

over the bleak flats
–
Namaqualand sprouts colour
–
that discerns no bounds

23 in Stellenbosch

found her delving in
–
the mind’s creativity
–
filled me with wonder

The gap

our colourful land
–
our land of piercing contrast
–
cast in black and white

Drizzle

a rare rainy day
–
will not keep the drought at bay
–
but it brings a smile

/Kaggen

myths of origin
–
age-old stories repeated
–
the mantis whispers

When mothers turn their backs

To the women’s league
–
start protecting our daughters
–
not your own interests

We stand with you Khwezi

four brave young women
–
stood mutely against our scourge
–
‘man’-handled again . . .

South Africa Voting

our brightest young minds
–
apply them wisely in peace
–
to change your futures

Mandela Day

in an an angry world
–
we need the calmness you brought
–
with your compassion

Sunset

guineafowl laughing
–
evening colours aglow
–
Africa to rest

Pretoria/ANC heartbreak

our city’s burning
–
Zuma-crony corruptness
–
tearing us apart

Quo vadis?

where do we come from
–
questions always lingering
–
where do we go to?

South Africa held hostage

broken ANC
–
an insincere president
–
we’re all April fools

Marabi

your rhythms were heard
–
in slums of Johannesburg
–
in pebble-filled cans

El nino on the Highveld

at last rain has come
–
laying red dust to rest
–
the earth stays thirsty

Thank you Mr President

greed and arrogance
–
the deceit of a nation
–
too painful to grasp

Leaving stones: March 2015

someone left a stone
–
at the church in Kareedouw
–
a kindred spirit?

–

Headless South Africa

when our rainbow burns
–
tears of all our shades are shed
–
where are our leaders?

Voice of the nation

can you hear us now?
–
not too much to laugh about
–
time to make a change

Racist ignorance

‘race’ lives in our minds
–
in science we are all one
–
Homo sapiens

Cape of good hope: February 2015

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