Poetry

Beyond Table Bay far within the blue deep
man and horse waits
while their bones lie in sacred bravery
at the sea’s gates
still lunging to and thro in the great swell
their forceful traits
are burnt into the hearts of small children
and of many South African countrymen.
 
[Poet’s note: After fearlessly riding into the storm swept sea to rescue several people from a sinking ship (De Jonge Thomas) on 1 June 1773, Wolraad Woltemade had perished in the great waves.]