Coincidence? No!!

As the D-date draws closer I am going to share more with you.

As I left South Africa early May 2010 for the start of my ride back across Africa next to me in the aircraft was a German lady, Yvonne. During the flight she gave me a poem from Hermann Hesse, which was quite fitting for my planned ride back to South Africa.

A day or two ago I received an email from Emil Bosch, the good man, photographer and philosopher, who suggested the title of my book “Noord van Naboom”. He attached a poem to his email, again from Hermann Hesse.

Coincidence? No!! The Russia / Siberia ride has to take place.

Here is the poem (apology to all the guys interested only in bearings and valves):

Stages

As every flower fades and as all youth
Departs, so life at every stage,
So every virtue, so our grasp of truth,
Blooms in its day and may not last forever.
Since life may summon us at every age
Be ready, heart, for parting, new endeavor,
Be ready bravely and without remorse
To find new light that old ties cannot give.
In all beginnings dwells a magic force
For guarding us and helping us to live.
Serenely let us move to distant places
And let no sentiments of home detain us.

The Cosmic Spirit seeks not to restrain us
But lifts us stage by stage to wider spaces.
If we accept a home of our own making,
Familiar habit makes for indolence.
We must prepare for parting and leave-taking
Or else remain the slave of permanence.
Even the hour of our death may send
Us speeding on to fresh and newer spaces,
And life may summon us to newer races.
So be it, heart: bid farewell without end.

Hermann Hesse