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Conversation with SA poets - 9: C.J. Driver

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C.J. Driver https://pensouthafrica.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/Driver.jpg This time round, I went looking on the website of The Red Wheelbarrow , a new online open mic with an exciting lineup of poets from around the country.  The most recent writing featured on the website is an evocative poem titled  in the water margins , by C.J. Driver.  Below is my response.  As usual, anyone visiting is invited to respond too, in the comments section. Sounds in the shower a poem by Jean Watermeyer, after C.J. Driver Sounds in the shower--  water falling inside four walls constructs, in the corners, noises shaped somehow by thought, or by the wifi - full of news: first and always, the stainless steel drain ricochets the cries of my baby waking and calling for me, though I know from experience he is still sleeping and I should know by now the sound is too soft, a dream of crying that could also be the shouts of rioters, or weeping; the electronic sounds of a hospital ward - feet, conversations
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Conversation with South African poets - 8: Keorapetse Kgositsile

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Keorapetse Kgositsile  https://www.sahistory.org.za/sites/default/files/styles/square_images/public/biography_pics/keorapetse_william_kgositsile_0.jpg?itok=CVmtOnrI Up until now, I've only been reading and responding to contemporary South African poetry.  I've decided to include some not so contemporary works in my project, since I have as much to learn about past South African poets as I do about living ones.  Today's poet falls somewhere between the two categories.  I once had the privilege of meeting  Keorapetse "Bra Willie" Kgositsile , then South Africa's poet laureate, at an event organised by Grounding Sessions . He spoke with me briefly and sincerely, taking the few moments we were talking to treat me with genuine interest, without seeming to care whether I was anybody at all in the worlds of arts or politics. He is of course, no longer with us. Four of his poems are on the Poetry International site, and several more are online at Poem Hunter  and Lyr
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Conversation with South African poets - 7: Liyema Mkabile

This time, I've chosen  a poem by Liyema Mkabile in Botsotso, titled Doek: Black and Female .  There was no way I could think of to respond to this poem that didn't seem like cultural appropriation, so instead, I resorted to Google again, to try to take my whiteness out of the way. The following "poem" is pretty much just Google search results, but I think it tells a telling tale, while also keeping me in the position of outsider "googling" in.  As usual, you are invited to read the original, here , and post your own response in the comments section below. Doek a "poem" "by" Jean Watermeyer, after Liyema Mkabile Doek a headscarf Definitions from Oxford languages Doek on Fleek - how I tie my doek! Fleek: extremely good, attractive, stylish "my hair is fleek right now" How to wear a traditional doek Head wrap tutorials 240 My doek style ideas in 2021 180 best doek style ideas kopdoek: a kerchief or bandana worn as a head covering
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Cape Dawn Project

Update: Fiona Meijer's beautiful book Rise, containing wonderful photographs of Cape Town sunrises, with accompanying poetry by local poets, is available to order from www.itsaboutlight.co.za .  I've just heard about the Cape Dawn Project , and I thought you'd like to know about it too. It's a combined photographic/poetry project by Fiona Meijer-Innes , a Cape Town-based photographer, who has captured hundreds of photographs of Cape Town sunrises, all taken from the same vantage point.  She plans to release the images in a collaborative book of poetry and photography, later this year. More strength to her, for starting something bold and collaborative during these discouraging times!  The photographs are available to view on  it'saboutlight.co.za .  
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Conversation with South African poets - 6: Gabeba Baderoon

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Gabeba Baderoon https://sia.psu.edu/sites/default/files/styles/medium/public/Gabeba_0.jpg?itok=9aZyULaG I have just read a heartbreaking poem by Gabeba Baderoon on Badilisha Poetry Exchange, titled War Tryptich . I admire Ms Baderoon's work - she is one of the few living SA writers I had actually come across before I started actively trying to read more local work. This poem is a fine example, but one that I have found difficult to sit with. Since I've become a mother, I find anything to do with children suffering almost unbearable to keep in mind. I'm sure I was moved by similar stories before, but these days they are too close to home. My response below, is not advocating a political or philosophical position, only expressing personal weakness. As usual, you are invited to add your own response in the comments section. looking away a poem by Jean Watermeyer, after Gabeba Baderoon Let us look away not out of respect exactly, more for the sake of mental health-- let us b
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Conversation with South African Poets - 5: Esethu Enkosi

I've been working my way slowly through ModPo , a fantastic course in modern and contemporary American poetry from UPenn.  The final sections are about chance and unoriginality in contemporary poetry, so a poem by Esethu Enkosi on Poetry Potion, titled Sunday Times , caught my eye.  She seems to have taken the questions from a poetry textbook.  There are some prize lines, e.g. "Who is the author of this poem?" and the last one, "Describe the scene the poet avoids conveying so literally in this poem. "  Her title is a little mysterious to me, but I've taken it and her method as inspiration, looking for material to the news app on my phone. I've used the headlines, so the result is I suppose mainly reflective of what's in journalists' minds: Google News - 30 March 2021 a poem 'by' Jean Watermeyer, after Esethu Enkosi I ANC NEC decides that members charged with corruption should step aside within 30 days The state of ANC top leadership Ace M
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Conversation with South African Poets - 4: Bernice Puleng Mosala

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Bernice Puleng Mosala - https://avbobpoetry.co.za/Home/_GetAttachment?attID=9947&ver=16347321 This time I'm responding to a poem from  the Avbob poetry competition archive , titled Un- by Bernice Puleng Mosala , which won first place in english-language category in the 2019 competition.  Here's my response. As usual, you're invited to leave your own response in the comments section below. (Un)requited A poem by Jean Watermeyer, after Bernice Puleng Mosala. She's so (un)assuming, (un)demanding,  (un)published, (under)-appreciated, (un)ambitious, (mis)understood. (Backing) singer, (under)study, (mother-)figure, (model) citizen. She would (never) say boo to a goose. She has (flawless) skin and (long) legs. She has the (perfect) figure. She's always (beautifully) dressed. (Before she had children,) she worked as a scientist. (Now she has four,) she writes in her spare time. (She tells herself when they are older) she will do something remarkable. Not that raising c
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