The Study of WoMan

In celebration of Women’s History Month, I’m revisiting WoMan. Given the current state of affairs, it’s clear her work is not done. WoMan is a poem I wrote years ago and appears in my chapbook, From the Depths of Darkness. The poem employs magical realism elements to explore the poet’s role as a healer.

About the Featured Image

Even after publishing WoMan, I knew it’s a character I wanted to learn more about. So, I reached to my fellow poet and artist, Kerry O’Connor, for a visual depiction. She interpreted the healer in the poem in a South African context and as a sangoma. The painting, she titled Study of WoMan, further inspired the poem below. I guess this is the essence of art’s ability to inspire further artistic expression.

I admit my writing tends to be autobiographical. However, the following poem is not an “I Am” poem, a personal poem in which the author describes themselves, even though it slightly adopts the format. It’s a poem that honours and appreciates all women for their roles in our communities and society.

Throughout history, Black South African women have been writing, and expressing themselves through various poetic styles. This includes women in my life, though not writers themselves, who celebrated poetry through oral traditions and also encouraged reading.

The Poem

I am WoMan
I am both gentle and fierce
A healer with ever-changing abilities
Still, I am a resolute mender of hearts

I am one with the natural world
Rooted in love, goodness blooms
A symphony of compassion
But do not confuse or conflate

Gentleness is not weakness
My spine is a steel beam ready
To support and defend what matters
Even if I risk being misunderstood

But do not call me angry
For I will burn the house down
I am a seeker of justice
I am WoMan

About Black Women Writers

It is clear that very little research has targeted Black women writers as knowledge and content producers, through the medium of books, let alone poets.”

—Makhosazana Xaba; Our Words, Our Worlds

I’m also taking this opportunity to acknowledge the contributions of Black South African women poets to the world of poetry. Why? Because, and as the quote above suggests, they rarely get the spotlight.

This is not about playing up to the accepted divisions of how we differ from one another: not African enough, not Black enough, not Woman enough and whatever else we are told to believe. It’s a simple fact that when I mention Audre Lorde, most people know who she is. But when I mention Sindiwe Magona, most (non-South African) people reach out for their smartphones to look her up. Why is that? Maybe we are not curious enough to learn about one another. In any case, I hope this provides food for thought.

So, with all that said, Happy Women’s History Month and a belated World Poetry Day to all poetry lovers!

PS. Wikipedia is calling for volunteers to join their efforts in addressing gender knowledge gaps. Read more on their site, if you’re looking for ways to donate your time and efforts!

What If Love

What if love was simply love devoid of adjectives?
‘Cause each extra act of fondness adds to the total
Though I’m enchanted by an overflowing heart

What if we freely gave love, with no expectations?
‘Cause we have nothing to lose, except for anxieties
Fading away like sunset colours and a warm kiss

Do not pity the world, it’s brimming still with love!
We can all lay a claim on love and cherish the day
‘Cause now let’s be honest, everyone loves love.

PS. Happy Valentine’s Day, in advance! ♥

A Way of Looking at this New Year

1. It’s a sameness, a global storm, with a different expiry date.

2. For once, the pessimist and optimist agree the view remains the unchanged, whether you look back or ahead. It’s the realist with a 360 degree advantage who zooms in and highlights the burning world, the drowning world, and the dark world as they search for the bright world.

3. “Don’t burst my bubble, it’s early days!” Fair enough. But one day, we’ll have to stop running away.

4. Bless the joy seeker who makes every day count! Alas, days won’t count on an empty stomach. A conflict, which seemed distant, becomes close when you rely on others for your staple food.

5. The list of ways to repair our world has long been in circulation.

6. “It’s time to amplify our voices!” But keep in mind the tax imposed on speaking out aloud. The kind of creative death that can push any writer into complete silence.

7. I once wrote: in dark we see, in death we rest; a beautiful frightening magic. Now I add, in silence we hear. ‘Cause to hear is another form of alchemy.

8. It’s a tremendous privilege to have a voice. Perhaps, we can begin by touching the lives of those around us. Then aim to make a big impact as we stand before the ballot box, if you are standing this year.

9. Oops, I got side-tracked. I meant to examine self-repair, the act of making the ugly beautiful and celebrate imperfections.

10. It’s easier to look outward than inward. For gathering, cleansing and piecing together broken pieces to give them a new meaning is a delicate and long process.

11. Verdict —

12. A way of looking at this new year is through the eyes of a seven-year-old child. While they can distinguish between fantasy and reality, they won’t openly challenge Santa’s existence. Because they hope for a wonderful surprise.

13. Don’t take my word for it! What do I know? I’m still busy reimagining the way I see things, so I can appreciate the beauty that surrounds us. But see for yourself, the crisp and fresh start.