So, mother, like Johannesburg, you cut me in deep, imaginative and resourceful ways. A cut from you was a project. Thinking of you, staring at you, looking at you, your progress illuminated the world around me. Everything was brighter and so, I was...
SONG AT SUMMER’S END (for the Dutch poet Joop Bersee) Eat it for dinner. Voice of Eve. The sea. Mum is the sleeping woman. Hands on the wheel driving to the rehab facility. Dad captains paradise. After the day we had we’re all feeling sunburned and...
Judith smiled across at Thomas. She didn’t say anything when he stroked her thigh up and down in the car. Up and down. Up and down. Until she felt an internal bliss rising up within her. At first, she felt afraid of this sensation. She had never...
AFTER COMING OUT AFTER A LONG DEPRESSION (for the South African poet Cwayita Hlohloza) I wanted to say this. Just because we don’t talk all the time on the telephone or haven’t seen each other in years doesn’t mean I don’t thank God for you in my...
JAMES DEAN (An experimental poem in twelve haiku) You’re bringing heaven (on) – keep still (in memory) thread or I’ll lose you (your) hands made to cherish. You gave your heart away-to-Hollywood – the evening is young as I-write-to-you (and your...
KISSING THE VELVET OF YOUR SHOULDER BLADES (for H.) If, if, I cease to exist, or co-exist in your world, suffering is progress. Flesh museum. Bone museum. Open to interpretation...
Now when I look at you, my son, I know that earth’s tomb will come for you, like it will come for all of us. Take me into the light. It has a quality that knows the power of words. Events, relationships, fragments, all will diminish from my memory...
DAMBUDZO MARECHERA (Experimental love poem in twelve-haiku) A necessary kindness – the dull flame of desire when rapture ruled (it was a Saturday night) Shapes of nude leaves – the only way that you could-fly (let go of Africa) you are in my world...
A GUIDE TO A WOMAN’S COURAGE (for the Dutch poet Joop Bersee) I dream love. Dream myself up a costume, a school of music into a good man who will hopefully...
FOR A SISTER IN FARAWAY JOHANNESBURG I have written this to music. What do you think of this, I want to ask but your mind is elsewhere. You’re distracted, I can tell. You could be counting sheep Or trying to fall asleep for all I care. The American...
THE PAUSE BETWEEN ACTS (For Adeline Virginia Woolf) And, so, breath is life. And, so, breath is life. And, so, breath is life. Of stars and hands. Of night life. The undoing of garment and thread. Notes written at the back of a postcard while you’re...
A WALK THROUGH THESE EMPTY ROOMS Look, it is autumn. Autumn rain. It is the beginning of a brave new world. You don’t understand me. You love me, you say you do, but you don’t understand me. I know of psychiatrists, illness. Disability. I know of...
Abigail George