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Thursday 31 August 2017

The fabric of Botswana


Often when I travel I find that strange and unexpected experiences become part of the stories of my travels. On my latest trip to Botswana, I had another of these unforeseen experiences. At the time, I thought it to be rather horrendous, but when I recounted the story to a friend, it had her in a fit of laughter and begging me to share it with her mom, who was an avid seamstress. At first, I was taken aback by her laughter, but then it dawned on me that this really was very funny and that I was simply too serious about it because I take such pride in my work. We truly do need to learn not to take ourselves so seriously, don't we?
At the last minute, shortly before departing for Botswana, my friend with whom I was going to be staying, phoned to request me to pack my sewing machine as she was determined that I should make her some block-out blinds for her kitchen and living room. I rather fancied the idea of this as she and I had spoken of it before and I gladly packed the machine. When packing the sewing equipment, I tried to keep it to the bare minimum as my luggage was already starting to resemble a smallish trek. I opted for a decent pair of scissors to cut the cloth, the necessary bobbins, quick-unpick, etc. As for the needles, I packed the thick and sturdy ones; leather, denim and the like. Block-out curtains are made from sturdy stuff and I know the value of using the correct needle in the sewing machine. I decided not to take any thread as we could get this along with the fabric when we went shopping. I felt prepared and ready for the task ahead. Little did I know what that task would entail!
Two weeks of my three week visit passed without any move towards purchasing the fabric necessary to make the blinds and I was getting agitated that we would soon run out of time. Then my friend Louise arrived home one day with another lady I had become friends with from across the street. Both of their eyes sparkled with excitement as they shared their plan with me. It turned out that Nita would be attending a wedding in a couple of weeks and she was in need of a blouse to go with a pair of pants she wished to wear to the wedding. Louise asked if I would be prepared to sew something for Nita and I readily agreed. At least I would not have slugged the sewing machine along for no good reason. In my mind I saw the three of us setting off to the shops to select the necessary fabric, thread and needles needed for the job, not to mention stiffening, and whatever other essentials might be required. I thought how we would probably not be able to find the exact pattern that Nita would like, but that if we could find something similar, I could adjust it and make sure to give her what she wanted. This was not at all what the two exited women had in mind, though.
Louise had a dress that she no longer had any use for that was the exact colour that Nita had in mind for the blouse. Between the two of them, they had hatched the plan that I should turn this dress into a blouse for Nita and they knew exactly how they wanted the top to look too. Louise promptly presented the dress with its four layers of flowing soft fabric and Nita started explaining about sleeves and pointed hems, etc.
The two of them were so enraptured by the sheer ingenuity of their own ideas that they must not have noticed how quiet I had become. Louise, eager to get the show on the road, started unpicking the seams of the dress as she and Nita continued to scheme and plan. Finally, I managed to get a word in edgewise. I reminded them that we were not working with virgin cloth, but that it had existing seams and shapes that would limit the freedom with which we approach the design. They agreed fully and told me that they understood the issues involved but looked at me with such confidence and eagerness that I had not the heart to tell them the full extent of the difficulties, but decided to simply deal with these myself as they arose. I would only involve them in the problems if it absolutely affected the outcome.
By now I realized that nobody had any intention of spending any money on the project and that I would have to make do with what was available. I looked at the sheer fabric and thought of the needles I had brought along. I could already see the big gaping holes the needles would leave in the soft fabric. This sent Louise scurrying off to find her 'sewing box' which turned out to be a tupperware container that nobody had bothered organizing in what seemed to be decades. We found one single fine needle in the box. I would have to make sure to work very carefully for if the needle broke, there would be no back-up. Fortunately there also was some thread I would be able to use. The pattern seemed to be the only hurdle left to overcome.
As I had no base patterns to work from, nor anything on which to draw up new base patterns, nor paper on which to design a pattern, I opted for the only solution left to the problem. I asked Nita to fetch a shirt that fitted her like a glove so I could have her shape in place. She went off immediately and returned with what I requested except... it was a knitted shirt! Now, for those of you not into sewing, allow me to explain. The fabric on the table had no stretch, whereas the knitted shirt stretched in all directions. Once again, I realized I would have to compensate for this fact. Let me explain what compensate means in this instance; it basically meant I would be cutting the pattern blind with little to no guidance as to shape and size. Add to that the fact that this was already pre-shaped and pre-sewn fabric which had been hanging for some time and had lost some of its original shape on top of that, the project seemed doomed from the start. As I had no paper to plan on, I would have to pin a sewing line and cut along the pins, working directly on the fabric. And I had a very limited amount of fabric with large enough panels to cut pattern pieces from. Also, and this was a big one, it turned out that I had packed the wrong scissors after all! I keep paper scissors in my sewing box as I am always designing new patterns and I inadvertently packed these, which meant that my scissors were too blunt to cut the sheer fabric! Louise only had a pair of tiny scissors with a 4 cm blade. As these were at least sharp, I had no choice but to use them. In short, I was royally screwed! Still, I am not one to shirk from a challenge and once I had given my word, I would see things through, come hell or high water. So I courageously set off to cut the once beautiful dress up into what I could only hope would eventually resemble a blouse that would fit its wearer.
I started with the lining and was quite frankly astounded to find that it fitted Nita as if it was tailor-made for her. She seemed to remain oblivious of how incredible this feat was and simply continued to tell me about the alterations she had in mind for her original design. The hemline Nita and Louise had in mind would require a stitch that can only be made on an over-locker. As I had not packed mine, this was not an option, and I explained to them how I could alter the design slightly to still give them that finish from the original hemline of the dress. Nita wanted a pointed hemline. I could ruche the shirt on one end to form the point, while keeping the over-locked hemline of the original dress. This suggestion was promptly dismissed and I was informed that I could achieve the same finish on the sewing machine if I used the satin stitch right on the edge of this sheer fabric. If you are a seamstress you are probably now laughing out loud in incredulity. In short, the answer is no, it can't be done. Perhaps, if I strengthened the fabric by sewing onto paper, I could keep the fabric from being 'sucked' into the bobbin case, but it would still not have the clean crisp finish that is achieved on the over-locker. Add to that the fact that I had limited thread and no back-up for the needle, it was simply not a risk worth taking, especially as I was convinced the results would leave Nita disappointed. I flatly refused explaining my reasons for doing so. I doubt Nita was convinced, but experience has taught me well and I wasn't going to venture down a lane there was no return from. Besides, there was no back-up fabric to cut another panel from if I turned out to be right and we had to return to my suggestion. Finally Nita reluctantly gave way.
Now it came time to attend to the sleeves. Have you ever cut a sleeve without any pattern at all? It is all fine and well if you are working with stretch fabric as these can be quite tolerant. Not so when you are working with sheer and fine fabric where every stitch can be seen by the close observer. How to go about it? I think my best answer would be prayer. It was that or swear, and as I do not use foul language, prayer was the only solution open to me. And boy did I ever pray! I used a measuring tape to measure the size of the armhole. This gave me some guideline, but I still did not know how high the head of the sleeve should be, or how deep the underarm should dip. Get this wrong, and the sleeve will cut into the underarm annoyingly. I could also only estimate the center point of the sleeve where it should line up with the shoulder seam. Get this wrong and you have a bubble in front, while it pulls too tight at the back, or the reverse is true. No, sleeves are pattern pieces that begs to be approached with precision, and yet all I could do was to wing it. So I did.
When I sewed that sleeve into the armhole, I knew once more that God answers prayers. For no reason that makes any earthly sense, the sleeve fitted the armhole precisely without having to be gathered or stay-stitched anywhere! The proof was in the fitting though, and I did not want to get too excited yet. Nita pitched up and slipped the blouse over her head. She tucked at the hemline which she was still not entirely happy with, but said nothing at all about the sleeve. Finally, I could not contain it any longer and asked her about it. She shrugged nonchalantly and said that it was fine, continuing to tuck at the hem. I guess she must still be wondering why this sent me off into a jubilant dance of exultation.
I wish I could tell you that Nita was happy with the final result, but this is sadly not the case. When she offered to pay, I refused. This will never be a project I am proud of, even though I know I had done my best and that few people would have been able to achieve similar results. Still, regardless the dissatisfaction, Nita looked beautiful in the blouse and it fitted her perfectly and I was impressed by what I had achieved. Looking at the blouse, it would not be possible for anyone to see the constraints within which I had been working... and that is something to be proud of!

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Wednesday 30 August 2017

Ongeag 'n tweesnydende swaard


Ongeag 'n tweesnydende swaard

Mens is nie onveilig tussen afwesiges nie
Veiligheid word bedreig by teenwoordiges
Dit maak van die mensdom in hul essensie
'n sameflansing van egoïsmes en sentrismes
wat op eie gewin uit is sonder inagneming
van verantwoordelikheid teenoor mekaar.
Ons sal mekaar se lewens kru binne dwing
terwyl ons roekeloos apaties onsself verklaar
as waardige gesante met alleenreg op opinie.
'n Ander se kennis, tyd, geld of selfs persoon
is iets wat ons hul nie gun om te verdien nie,
en dan eis ons dit eiegeregtig onsself tot loon.

Mensekind,
onder God se bewind,
is jy gevind
deur die wêreld verblind,
teen 'n swaard se punt.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Tuesday 29 August 2017

Life


Life

Before you can get a life, you have to get life.
If you fail to understand the essence of what life is,
you are doomed to be a mere spectator,
and never a participant.
Many a person have admired a beautiful gown,
but a fewer number have realised their designs
and seen them paraded by even a high school model.
Many a person have lost themselves in the pages of a great novel,
but, in comparison, a few have written down their thoughts
and left them for another generation.
The young are quick to taunt the old to get a life,
yet they are not the creators of great poetry, or music,
they did not set the records, or fight the wars that gave us peace,
they did not balance incomes and expenditures,
they are merely users of our universe
and of those who left us theirs.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Monday 28 August 2017

Vlinderman


Vlinderman

Vlinder-sag kom neem jy op my hart plaas
om my liefde se nektar oop te breek
waar ek dit dekades lank veilig versteek,
onbenut en onbekend, sonder enige haas
om iemand te vind om dit mee te deel.
Tot jy opdaag met jou liefdes-streel.

Jou tenger tas het my skoon verras
in 'n man van jou omvang en proporsie.
My opinie oor jou, blyk onvanpas,
herinner my die huid is net 'n korsie
waarmee die ware menswees karig bedek is
sodat hul wat wil weet, met moeite moet vis.

O! Vlinder-man, maak jou vlerke stil
en fladder hulle nie meer onrustig.
Ek dink jy weet nie, het nog geen benul,
ek wil reeds waag, al is dit ook versigtig.
Daar bly slegs een vraag om te verwoord:
spruit jy ook uit my Vader’s vrugteboord?

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Sunday 27 August 2017

Innerlike dialoog


Innerlike dialoog

My woorde huppel baldadig voort
ongestuit en onverstoord
op ritme van hul eie gang
met niks naby om hul te vang.

Woorde-wesens help tog verstaan
wat hier in my kop aangaan
sodat my dink nou rus kan kry
van die omgedolwe stryery.

My woorde lieg, hul loop en jok,
hul maak van my die sondebok
en sê my jy sit sonder blaam,
dat ek my vir myself moet skaam.

Woorde-wesens, jul praat mos snert,
of prys jakkals dalk sy eie stert,
wanneer ek onskuld by jul pleit?
Is my onskuld dalk eensydiheid?

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Saturday 26 August 2017

Jehovah Jirah


Jehovah Jirah

A drop, a tear
A word of fear –
A gentle reassurance.

A shout, a cry
A question why –
A proof of love’s endurance.

My heart grows still
I bend my will –
I feel my fences falling.

I turn my ear
I strain to hear –
I hear His promise calling.

You are my God
You are the One –
You are my soul’s provider.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Friday 25 August 2017

When I was small


When I was small

I had one piece of crockery to may name
A beautiful pink soup bowl from Granny
And this you smashed against the wall
But it wasn’t the bowl that lay shattered
At the foot of that wall – it was my hero.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Thursday 24 August 2017

Meervoudig mens


Meervoudig mens

My kop loop breed,
dink nie eenvoudig.
Simplistiese weet
is te enkelvoudig
om mense se gedrag
van nader te betrag.

Met mense-leed
op 'n skaal gewig,
kry ons alkant beet
vir nuwe insig,
word ons empaties bedag
op elkeen se unieke vrag.

Hoe groter die emosionele reuse,
hoe komplekser die mens se wese.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Wednesday 23 August 2017

Grandpa


Grandpa

I remember you for your patience
your soft-spokenness and silence.
Bearing up under life’s strains,
this once it became too many,
and you simply left …
I greeted you sadly at your deathbed
I did not want to let you go
Somehow I felt cheated out of really knowing you,
but I knew it was time and you had to leave.
God’s beckoning was almost audible in your silence.

Good bye Grandpa, it has been a privilege.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Tuesday 22 August 2017

Vervreemding


Vervreemding

Steen op steen pak ek jou agter woorde weg,
waarmee ek ons twee se paadjies vurk.
Jou praat en praat maak niks meer reg,
maar bottel net gevoelens onder kurk,
wat los wil skiet en bevryding soek
van 'n halwe leef agter 'n skadu-doek.

Baksteen staan ek in die hand en vind
die woorde waarmee ek sement aan-troffel,
om my gedagtes met losmaak-woorde te verbind,
wat ons twee van mekaar losskoffel.
Ons gisters is 'n land vol stry en seerkry,
waar ons geen rede vind om langer in te bly.

Ry op ry vervreemding netjies opgepak,
het ons eindelik albei aan die muur gebou,
wat ons lewens uitmekaar laat tak.
Sou ons mekaar werklik wou behou,
sou ons hierdie stene nie kon verduur.
Tog is hul bestaan onontkenbaar hier.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Monday 21 August 2017

Opsionele vriende


Opsionele vriende

Na ons ontmoeting, het ek gesmag,
maar teleurstelling het op my gewag.
jou dink was gans te egosentraal,
jou behoeftes totaal op jouself gerig.
Jy het gefaal om my te kom haal
en die gesprek op my belange te rig.

Kon jy vanaad met my bekend word
of was die aand geheel te kort?
Ek kon slegs glimpse van jou sien
in gesprekke wat my uitsluit.
Het jy 'n tweede kans verdien,
of sal ek my slegs deur jou laat uitbuit?

Opsionele vriend, klassifiseer ek jou.
'n Gerieflike afstand om te onderhou
tussen twee mense wat nooit naby was
en slegs toevallig mekaar se paaie kruis.
So pak ek jou argeloos weg in a tas
wat ek slegs oopmaak op 'n onthou-reis.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Sunday 20 August 2017

Die toekoms wink


Die toekoms wink

Gister se spore stap nie teen vandag se pas.
Terugkyk, terugkyk, word die pas 'n las,
wat opdraend aanstryk na nêrens heen,
want gister is nie vir vandag geleen.
Aanstap, aanstap, kyk nie langer om,
want so kan jy nie by nuwe plekke kom.
Die môres lê breed en lank voor jou uit,
waarom dan tree asof gister jou verstuit?
Maak los van die dinge wat jou tyd vasklem!
Kyk vooruit om met ywer na môre te rem.
Die wind in jou hare waai nie van voor;
dis 'n bries wat jou voortwaai, gee net gehoor.
Môre se sonskyn groet elke dag nuut,
waag uit jou skadu om te sien wat dit bied.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Saturday 19 August 2017

The castaway


The castaway

Our most special gift from God is life,
We let it slip through clumsy fingers
Yet not through toil, nor through our strife,
This gift with us still lingers.

How many lonely nights I wished
for the silence of which death whispers
I shunned the gift from God received
For an aching heart’s lonely whimpers.

If you are now where I was then,
And you read these words of mine,
You need to find yourself a friend
Through which your love can shine.

Maybe you’ll learn the life you live is not God’s gift to you,
It is for those who know God not, so they can know Him too.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Friday 18 August 2017

Wees stil my hart


Wees stil my hart

Wees stil my hart, klop nie benoud;
daar is nog hul wat weet jy’s goud.
My goud die skitter nie meer blink,
tog is my put nog goed om by te drink
Wees stil my hart en beef nie van angs;
elders wag een nog steeds op jou vangs,
wat uitsien om môre met jou te deel
en nooit ooit sal dink dat jou woorde verveel.
Staan op my hart en gee nou gehoor
aan God Wie se Woord jare lank al bekoor.
Hy roep jou nader, sê, ‘Maak jou gereed
om saam met My by jou bruilof te eet.’
Wees stil my hart, tree met God in gesprek;
Hy sal jou immer by Sy wil betrek.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Thursday 17 August 2017

The promise of you


Today's poem was written years ago in response to a number of prophecies received from God.

The promise of you
(A romance started in prayer)

When first I heard God’s promises
I could hardly comprehend,
That someone as good and beautiful
As you from Him descends.

First He told me your vocation,
Followed by your looks and nature.
A love for His word, from someone whose tall:
So many promises for me to recall.

He told me you are gentle, steadfast and kind,
With this kind of character, love may be blind.
God then allowed me a glimpse of the faith
Which you put in His word, and live in His grace.

I fell in love with you before I met you;
You are my proof that God’s word is true.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Wednesday 16 August 2017

Repulsive


Repulsive

Repulsive.
The word to describe the thing that is me.
Distance.
The space between me and others.
Ignorance.
The knowledge of who I am.

I have me to live with.
Me and no-one else.
Me and myself.

Ask the question that is on your mind.
Your silence speaks a million languages.
But don't ask me, ask yourself.
My view is but from the inside out.
You look from the outside in.

You share the common thing.
You have the knowledge I'd give life for.
What do you see?
What do you know?
Tell me of me.

I came out to breathe.
I had my nose kicked in.
I breathe suffocation.
There is no air.
I am drowning.
Tears of bitterness.

And if I had no fat, what would I blame?

Do you trust me?
Not enough to give me your own.
I'd break it.
Tear it in pieces.
Shatter it.
Feeble hands.
No hold.
No care.
No love.
No one.

I have me to live with.
Me and no-one else.
Me and myself.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Tuesday 15 August 2017

Hanswors van die ouderdom


Hanswors van die ouderdom

Plak 'n masker op en smile!
Make-up verskanste ouderdom
is nie verskoning vir bad style,
al trek jou bene en skouers krom.
Hanswors staan ons in gelid
voor die leuen refleksie
waar ons dik lae verf opsit
in ons ouderdom-objeksie.
Hang 'n oorbel aan elk oor,
kartel krale om die nek.
Môre begin ons weer van voor,
maar vir vandag is als in plek.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Monday 14 August 2017

Teen death


Shortly after he wrote his final school exam, a distant cousin of mine got in a car to travel to a destination where he would get some work experience before starting his studies. He crashed his vehicle and died. Today's poem was written in response to this tragedy.

Teen death

Someone lit a candle in a lightless room
It's life sprang up into flickering moments
Happiness was created by it's being there
and laughter filled the room where it stood
Many promises were created by it's presence
Many plans were made for it's 
f
u
t
u
r
e.

Someone opened a window
and all too soon
the candle
was
s
n
u
f
f
e
d.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Sunday 13 August 2017

Finale offer


Finale offer

Dit was 'n dag sonder genade.
Uitgelewer aan 'n honger spul,
met geen berekening van skade,
verkoop hul reg vir eie wil.
“Kruisig Hom!,” eggo dit luid,
onbedag op die Goddelike leed
wat roep en smag na geregtigheid.
“Vader, vergeef hul!,” lui die kreet.
Stille duisternis sak op ons neer.
Die Woord, die Lig is weggeneem,
en die besef dring stadig tot ons deur -
ons het onsself van God vervreem.
Drie dae het ons sonder God gedwaal,
soos Jona versteek in 'n donker vis.
Tog is die graf nie die volle verhaal
want 'n lewende God vind jy nie in 'n kis.
“Vader, vergeef ons!.” word ons kreet,
desperaat vir vergifnis en genesing.
Die pad is oop, die weg is gereed,
die finale offer, deur God self gebring.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Saturday 12 August 2017

Living in me


Living in me

I'm lonely
I never stop being lonely
I go to bed feeling lonely
and I wake up the same

Even when I am with people
I find myself closed off
encased in a glass cabinet
I can see
I can hear
But I can never reach out
I can never touch
alone
separated
apart

Am I fleeing from them
or are they fleeing from me?
Never once have I been special to another
Am I a monster?
Am I a worthless soul mate?
Can I not love?
Can I not give?
Do I not need to be held
Listened to
Laughed with?

Am I?

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Friday 11 August 2017

Lyftaal


Lyftaal

Jy het my hart se punt geroer
toe jou oë na my toe loer
Jou kyk het saggies oor my gestreel,
so sag, ek dog ek het my dit verbeel.
Jou skoen se punt het jou verraai,
onwillekeurig na my gedraai.
Jou hande klem jou broek se pyp,
moet keer dat jy jou aan my vergryp.
Het jy geweet jou lyf se taal
vertel 'n passievolle verhaal
van hoe jy my lyfskuif nader haak,
sodat jy aan my hart kan raak?
Jou woordelose liefdesgebaar
verseker my jou liefde is waar.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Thursday 10 August 2017

Teaching God's loved ones


Teaching God's loved ones

Oh! to touch the heart of a child
to drop soothing words on his pain
to be able to make life sweet again
to make the face on him mild

Just once to touch another for the better
What would be the purpose of the hand
if not to uplift and make a fallen stand
or capture words of kindness in a letter.

An original poem by Miekie (Marietjie Uys).
'n Oorspronklike gedig deur Miekie (Marietjie Uys).

Marietjie Uys (Miekie) is a published author. You can buy my books here:
You can purchase Designs By Miekie 1 here.
Jy kan Kom Ons Teken en Verf Tuinstories hier koop.
Jy kan Kom Ons Kleur Tuinstories In hier koop.
Jy kan Tuinstories hier koop.
You can follow Miekie's daily Bible Study blog, Bybel Legkaart, here in English & Afrikaans.
You may prefer to follow the traveling blog, A Pretty Tourist.
For more crafty ideas and great product reviews, visit A Pretty Talent on Facebook.
If you are in a literary mood, follow Miekie's musings, stories and poetry on A Pretty Author - Miekie.
Remember to keep nurturing your TALENT for making life PRETTY.
You can subscribe to any of these blogs and receive regular updates by email. Simply register your email address at the top of the applicable blog.

Abuse

How cold the steel of the blade, how warm my body’s embrace How hard the knuckle of the fist, how soft the surface of my skin Ho...