Versindaba kompetisie vir vertaalde gedigte (67)
Mazisi Kunene se “izinkondlo emililo” [Brandende verse] in Afrikaans vertaal via Vusi Mchunu se Engelse vertaling uit Zulu. Vert. deur Helize van Vuuren.
Brandende verse
Onsigbaar sal ek jul volg na die heilige grotte
díép in die aard-maag waar jul brandende verse wegmoffel
en dophou van ver jul geheime fakkel-woorde –
nee, eerder soos ‘n komeet die hemelboog belig
nog lank na sonsak verdof
***
Poems set on fire
I shall invisibly follow you into the sacred vaults
Deep in the belly of earth where you hide your burning poems
From a distance watching you raise secret words as the torch
Nay, the comet illuminating the arc to the depths of sunsets
– Mazisi Kunene Igudu likaSomcabeko 1997. Engelse vertaler Vusi Mchunu
Izinkondlo zemililo
Ngizokulandela wena uze ushone emgodini
Uze ushone lapho ufihle khona izinkondlo zakho
Ngize ngikubone usuzibasela usuzenza ubhaqa
Kuze kuthi klelele nakude emashona
Kube engathi uphethe izinkanyezi
— Mazisi Kunene Igudu likaSomcabeko 1997.