Words by Andrew McNaughton
Photographs by Chris Marais
[dropcap]A[/dropcap]rid, ancient landscape, once an inland sea
A continental jigsaw sent masses drifting free
Molten magma spewing, a crucible of fire
Preserving remnant forms captured in the mire
[dropcap]L[/dropcap]ong gone lakes, drained to a treeless plain
River-gouged gorges and sculpted rocks remain
Spawning life designs more resilient than the norm
Adaptations, meeting ice and sun and storm
[dropcap]F[/dropcap]reezing winter grips, and tortures in its hold
Brittle iron boulders, splitting from their mould
Relentless summer heat, drought a constant dread
Dead and blackened stems crackle under tread
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]un in rising fury, retreating shadows fly
Rims of purple mountains, delineate the sky
Faintest puff of wind, or touch of passing air
Brings scents of summers past in memory to bear
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]wirling dusty spirals, dancing in the distance
Soft-imagined sounds, accentuate the silence
Stately castles loom, shimmering water shines
Mirages of the mind false imagery defines
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]weet smell of early morning, perfume to the senses
A carousel of seasons, diversity dispenses
Rose complexioned day, transforming into gold
Uncounted bright arrays and galaxies unfold
[dropcap]E[/dropcap]xploding storms of thunder, sudden pounding rain
Releasing earthy fragrance, relieving all our pain
Muddy rivers roar, chirping crickets sing
Joyful springbok pronk and insects on the wing
[dropcap]G[/dropcap]reening and forgiving, a kaleidoscope of colour
Flower fields emerge, more exquisite than each other
Immeasurable arena, endless open space
Time does not imprison, nature does not haste
[dropcap]S[/dropcap]pirits rise beyond, acquired worldly ways
Purpose comes to thought and meaning to the days
Shedding all pretension and rid of self-taught lies
We stand in awe-struck wonder, at this cathedral of the skies
[dropcap]V[/dropcap]isions of the future, how we might arrange
The making of a better world, through unselfish change
Jealous of its secrets, still disfigured by our greed
The Great Karoo lies silent, pleading for our heed
Andrew’s poem also appears in the September 2013 issue of Rose’s Roundup, a fascinating monthly newsletter on the Karoo compiled by Rose Willis, writer and popular historian.
