Conversation with South African Poets - 4: Bernice Puleng Mosala

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 children isn't ( - it just takes all your time).

Art is (un)necessary(, in difficult times).
It is (un)South African to think of leaving.
It is probably (un)wise to choose instead to stay.
All the opportunities are (else)where
The newspaper headlines are full of (bad news, like you need) it.

I will be --apologetic, --ashamed,
--swerving, though often --certain.
I will (not) give up.

Many things that seem --believable turn out to be (un)true.

(I found it sometimes almost impossible to accept, but) some people just aren't looking for me.
(It took longer than expected, but then) I found you.



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