Muri

An Australian fondue chef
and hairdresser with style
a small town in Calvin haven

Olten crowned me champion
of blitz.A half a KG of chocolate,
and front page in the paper,
A South African triumphs.

I have never met such friendship
than the Swiss smile, and cappuccino.
Never seen
an open arm
an open home
than I did in this small town
with monks by a monastery,
and a wave of life genuine,
deeply felt.

Muri, I give my chess pieces to you
A gift few other places will ever know,
I leave with you, in your hands
the secrets of my universe.

May they unfold in your embrace
and with Time, may hours of joy
tick without expectation,
but of my humble return
one day in my true freedom.

Beyond The Nile

Agrippa remained unchallenged.

The Sahara sifts through memoirsof blood.
Morena hits his Drum
and Rolihlahla flies
on a wind of change.

From Ixopo's Eastern sky
Senzangakhona's son holds high the assegai
in salute to the ancestors,
and echoes across the Rift
"Sons and daughters of the soil
We are with you beyond the Nile"

Now we fight in Algiers
On 64 squares
holding our cycad of flames.
The long shields of Drakensberg
find mutual honour against the
arrows of Fanon's Atlas.

We whisper triumph
as we did always
from the belly of Biko.

Along the shores of dunes,
fynbos seeds will cascade,
sand shall sip life.

It was once said , " the River
flooded, the heavens opened,
and in grief, for a moment,
God wept beyond the Nile."

May He may find solace
and a sweet smile
at the gift of beauty
that only the Protea
in full bloom can bring.

Viva SA Chess Team !