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 …
Read More »Poetry
90’s Woman – poem
This is another very old poem, written in 1996, in the heart of single parenting years 90’s Woman This small framed vulnerable creature Who last night quivered at a sharp word Cooked supper, shaved, lathered Unwound in bubble bath bliss Tucked children in with a kiss Woke to the demands of morning chaos Lost her cool Rushed kids to school …
Read More »The Worth of a woman – poem
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 …
Read More »Stepping stones – The path through relationships – Poem
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 …
Read More »Reach Out – High school matric farewell assembly poem
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 …
Read More »Searching the gene pool
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 …
Read More »Windows and Doors
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 …
Read More »Writer’s Bootcamp, ‘I just couldn’t live without …’
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 …
Read More »You’re the voice in my Mind – Leonard Cohen tribute
Yesterday I came across a sponsored post by Weeva on Facebook calling for Letters to Leonard Cohen with a view to presenting him with a book containing these on his birthday. I love a challenge and I love Leonard Cohen. I wrote this tribute to him to fit the rhythm of ‘Bird on a Wire’ and to use the song …
Read More »Carousel – Poem
CAROUSEL Painted ponies circle To tinny, manic refrain The scenery, on repeat Again and again and again Slack hands hold futile reins Cling to lonely little joys Private little pains No awkward eye contact no face to face Comfortably kept apart by carefully measured space Lone rangers each of us Playing at pretend Riding wooden horse with imaginary friend traversing …
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