Passieblomme: Verse van Totius

Passieblomme: Verse van Totius collects selected poems by the eminent Afrikaans poet and theologian J.D. du Toit, better known by his pen name Totius. This edition, published by Nasionale Boekhandel in 1960, presents a lyrical and deeply personal reflection on faith, suffering, redemption and the human condition. Through his rich, compact verse, Totius weaves themes of spiritual longing, divine love and the beauty of the created worldhis belief in a God who suffers with his people is a thread that weaves through many of his poems.

The poems draw from biblical imagery, nature metaphors, and theological meditation. Totius's poetic voice is spare but powerful: he often uses simple language to evoke profound spiritual truths, offering readers moments of consolation, confession and praise. The volume is modest in length (typically under 50 pages), yet each piece is carefully chosen to reflect the depth and range of his Christian vision. The emotional honesty of "Passieblomme" gives it an enduring appeal to those who appreciate devotional poetry rooted in Afrikaner faith tradition.

Collectors of Afrikaans literature, Christian poetry aficionados and readers interested in South African literary history will find this edition especially meaningful. Its mid-century publication date places it in a significant era of Afrikaans-language development, and for many, Passieblomme remains one of Totius's most beloved collectionsevoking both the spiritual and cultural heartbeat of his time.