Tag Archives: poetry

Many years ago I was in an abusive relationship.  During that time and in the healing period after leaving the relationship, writing helped me to structure my thoughts and helped me to find my way forward.  I have avoided putting these old works up here for a few reasons.  I was a different person then.  I have moved on and …

Oi, I’m getting old.  I got all excited when I saw a poetry competition advertised by Hirsch in Boksburg, but me old eyes aren’t as good as they used to be, didn’t see the age 5 – 8 bit.  Anyway yesterday while sitting in the car while the children were in swimming lessons I wrote my ‘entry’.  although I cannot …

Last Thursday night I was invited by Phomolo Sekamotho (Flex) to a live recording for V1 live featuring him and his band Flex of He & I, at the Academy of Sound Engineering at SABC.  I previously wrote this article  after listening to his In Between the Lines EP (free for download). I have never encountered poetry in this unique format …

This poem is one of the first which I wrote and felt that it ‘worked’.   I don’t have a formula when it comes to writing.  Sometimes I am inspired by something that I have read.  Sometimes by an observation or experience.  Some poems are worked and re-worked over and over and still miss the mark.   The night before writing …

Back in 2011, an online jewellery story The Daisy Chain, ran a poetry competition with the given topic being “A woman of worth”.  I was delighted to win 1st prize and a R500 voucher.  Sadly the Daisy Chain has ceased to exist. The worth of a woman The shape of her laughter The truth of her gaze Her springtime unfurling …

My past is littered with failed relationships.  As a teen my grandmother told me that I was fickle, she was probably right.   I’m not going to try to analyse why I had such a very long string of boyfriends, fiancées, one night stands and one ex-husband.  I wrote this post on one aspect but was painfully aware that it only …

My Mum has asked me for a few of my old poems.  Since I have to type them out, I may as well put them here.  This poem was written when I was in matric for our farewell assembly at Maris Stella Convent School in Durban (1986). REACH OUT Reach out, toward the future Do not regret the past You …

This week I used some embroidery threads which belonged to my grandmother, they are still in a bag from Lynwood Fashions, her clothing factory in Harare.  I was named Ursula after her and recent thoughts have been around how much of her, lives on in me.  Strangely my grandfather’s name was Clifford and my husband’s name is Clifford.  Ursula and …

Today’s writers bootcamp exercise did not  come easy, but they got me writing and that’s what counts.  There is no wheat without chaff.  The topic today is Windows and Doors.  I started out writing prose but it was not working so switched to poetry. Some People are Windows, Some people are Doors Some people are windows gazing  through glass Invisible …

Today I came across Writer’s bootcamp and wanted to play, was surprised that this was written in about 15 mins. I cannot live without music The very pulse of life The blood and the blade which cuts like a knife I cannot live without harmony The magic which it weaves The stuff of reality and the stuff of dreams I …