My poem ‘ Old Sof’town’ published in an anthology of South African jazz poetry.
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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’
🙂
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Love this poem! Congratulations, Afzal!!! 🎶🎺🎹💕-Anne
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Thank you, dear Anne. Warmest wishes …
Peace and Equality ✌
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Congrats, Afzal!
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Thank you, brother Mitch! Much appreciated.
Peace and Equality ✌
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Congrats!!
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Thank you so very much !
Peace and Equality ✌
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Well done! Pardesi
Success always year!
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Thank you as always dear friend … ✌
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Congratulations to you…yay..
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many thanks, dear friend.
Peace and Equality ✌
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Way to go, my dear dearest friend. This is awesome news. I told you, you are in your element and your poetry is getting better by the day. Mark my words, publishers will be flocking at your door. I love this news. 🎵🎵🎵🎂🎂😍😍
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As always, dearest friend you are far too kind BUT I receive it with humble gratitude. LOL @ publishers coming along – ah but lovely to dream lol
Peace and Equality ✌
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Dream with your eyes open, dearest friend and they will come true. Love and hugs
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aww thanks man ! will endeavour to do just that
Peace and Equality ✌
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Oye, don’t change my gender! Haha. Peace and Liberty!
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Peace and Equality and Liberty to all women and men 😊✊✌
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Wow, my friend Congratulations, keep it up,
is it a book? (the link directs to Google search result=.)
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Thanks my friend … yes it is a book edited my US civil rights activist Myesha Jenkins
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you may click on the picture above or below 😊 which will take you to Amazon.com
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Beautiful poetry and congratulations
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Thank you ever so humbly, dear friend.
Peace and Equality ✌
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Stay well. 🙂
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Thanks and you too 😊✌
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