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

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 outside the door

a woman in labour

far away;

the sea; the man who sleeps in the subway and shouts in the street;

the gate opening, though nobody is expected;

a door opened without a key;

rats in the ceiling, mosquitoes in the dark.

I have the taps set just right and I stay,

turning to keep warm,

practiced at ignoring.