my poem below has been published in an anthology of poems by Myesha Jenkins.
The launch of the book takes place in Johannesburg on Sunday May 28 at The Orbit.
the following poem of mine appears in the book …
Old Sof’town*
1.
In old Sof’town,
the jazz struck chords,
the jazz lived, it exploded,
out of the cramped homes,
rolling along the streets,
of old Kofifi,
in tune to countless blazing heartbeats.
In old Sof’town,
Bra’ Hugh breathed music, Sis’ Dolly too,
and Bra’ Wally penned poems that still ring true.
In old Sof’town,
Father Trevor preached
equality and justice,
for all, black and white and brown,
and all shades, every hue,
even as oppression battered the people,
black & blue.
In old Sof’town,
the fires of resistance raged,
‘we will not move’ was the refrain,
even as the fascists tore down Sof’town,
with volleys of leaden rain.
In old Sof’town,
the people were herded,
like cattle,
sent to Meadowlands,
far away and cold and bleak,
as the seeds of resistance,
sprouted and flourished,
for the coming battle.
In old Sof’town,
the bulldozers razed homes,
splitting the flesh of a community apart,
only to raise a monument of shame,
and ‘Triomf’ was its ghastly name.
2.
In Jozi today,
we remember those days,
and those nights of pain,
that stung our souls.
like bleak winter rain.
Yes, we remember old Sof’town,
as we struggle onward,
to reclaim our deepest heritage,
and build anew,
a country of all hues and shades,
of black and of white and of brown.
And yes, we will always remember,
and yes, we will never forget,
the price that was paid,
by the valiant sons and daughters,
of old Sof’town,
those vibrant African shades and hues,
of black,
of white,
of brown.
____________
* Sophiatown was also called ‘Sof’town’ and ‘Kofifi’
______________
http://www.sahistory.org.za/place/sophiatown
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sophiatown
Congratulations! My Friend
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Thank you my dear friend
Peace ✌
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Congratulations on this!
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thank you so very much! your sentiments are deeply appreciated and humbling. Stay well, dear friend.
Peace ✌
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That’s a reason to celebrate!! Many congratulations Afzal! That’s a great news!!
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thank you, as always Meenakshi! Your warmth is felt deep in my heart. Best wishes and love and joy and peace.
Peace ✌
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Congratulations you 😍
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thank you very much, my friend. much appreciated. warmest wishes.
Peace ✌
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You’re welcome
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✌
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Many congratulations. May the force be with you. More power to you
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thank you very much, my friends!
May the force be with you!
Peace ✌
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Congrats, Afzal!
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Thanks, Mitch. Warmest wishes and regards to you and those dear to you.
Peace ✌
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Wow…powerful poem, and congrats!
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thank you as always, my dear friend … warmest wishes and regards
Peace ✌
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Congratulations! Much deserved for such a wonderful poet! Such beautiful words & expression ❤️☮️, Anne
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thank you so very much as always, dear Anne. my very warmest of wishes to you and to those dear to you.
Peace ✌
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Wonderful! Congratulations Afzal👏
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Many thanks dear Radhika
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Congratulations, wish you success in every walk of life!
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my very warmest of thanks, dear friend! wishing you everything of the same! thank you again for your warmth.
Peace ✌
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You are most and always welcome my dear.
*Assalamo Alaykum forgot it.
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thank you once more and may peace and light and joy and health be with you as well
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Ameen Summa Ameen same to you my dear
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Salaam!
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Shanti Shalom uKuthula
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Sorry didn’t get it
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Shanti Peace Salaam Shalom uKuthula
Peace in Hindi, Hebrew, isiZulu
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