Princess Vlei
A tribute to Princess Vlei by  Cicilia Johnson given  who has lived in the vicinity of Princess Vlei for most of her 90 years.

Grassy Park in the Cape Flats
Nothing there to see?
Endless avenues, waterlogged fields?
Not so, dear Reader to me.

My Haven of Refuge I found
Where the carp and the trout abound;
Where the Weeping Willow softly sway.
This dear Reader, is Princess Vlei.

Constantiaberg surrounds it
As if in a warm embrace,
And smiles into the water
At the image of her face.
Luscious green fields, children at play.
This dear Reader, is Princess Vlei.

Birds sing merrily in the trees
Swayed by the cool South Easter breeze.
The majestic pelicans are a wondrous sight
As they sail upon the water
Or take to sudden flight.

The setting sun now touches the glade
With Heavenly Light
And soon the Vlei’s inmates
Will settle for the night.

Reluctantly, I take my leave, of my
Beautiful Oasis –
As she folds herself in her Royal Cloak,
And Sleeps – The Princess.