Johannesburg Blues …
walking in this city of diamonds,
gold deep beneath my feet,
sleeping under her rainy skies,
embracing my newspaper sheet.
i had a life long ago, a woman too,
now I’m just a huddle of rags,
while the women walk past
never reaching into their Gucci bags.
she left me, or i left myself,
on these bleak Jo’burg roads,
searching for that fix at these desolate crossroads.
now i stand alone,
these empty streets my bed,
my blood soaking the earth
with drops of beaten red.
so i wish you well, friends,
i wish you gold dust amidst the fray,
all of you who walk on and away,
leaving me to beg or borrow,
to get through another Jo’burg day.
Some very moving posts on your family and friends. Partition has just been given a lot of air time in the U.K. And grown up grandchildren going on journeys of discovery to India and Pakistan. Yes, I would like to visit Johannesburg and Journey to Jo’burg was one of my favourite books to read with students.
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you’re most welcome to Joburg anytime dear friends – especially with summer on the way it’ll be lovely to soak in the jazz and the food and the visits to the museums about our tortured past. Thank you and warmest wishes and regards to you and those dear to you … Peace ✌
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Ah, I could extend summer to all year then! Hopefully the past has mainly been laid to rest in the museums.
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thankfully much of the past has been laid to rest but as you know the vestiges of Apartheid are all around us
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And here racism and the far right.
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we are in the midst of a scary swing to the right almost all over the world. as Pete Seeger sang “when will we ever learn”
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There is indeed a backlash at present and I fear some manipulation. I have an older socialist friend but think she has become very influenced by some right wing think tanks. It’s odd and doesn’t quite fit??
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it is odd and I have had similar experiences with some old progressive friends who have turned quite reactionary of late – as they say when the pendulum swings – it is sad and really painful for old folks like my dad who believed and still do in the internationalist ideals but now in the twilight of their lives they are witnessing this very disturbing political climate the world over. what do we do except get back to basics and organise and slowly rebuild the vanguard – damn I’ve spilling cliches left left and centre left LOL
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I think it is something to be very vigilant about and yes difficult for those who believe strongly and been active in international ideals.
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so true and yes as you say we need to be vigilant and in our own ways set up a buffer and a bulwark against these days when the right are flinging their narrow populist rhetoric and taking cues from the goebbels of the past
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It seems to be quite a problem in too many places. Some are very good at the buffering and need our support.
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yes our support is needed and just as the world supported us in our cause against Apartheid – we need to reciprocate the world over in whichever way we can
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Very beautiful, this was brilliant. I loved it from start to end, you are a genius poet my friend. This makes me want to see johannesburg so much. The poem is one the best i have read. 🌸🌸🌸😊😊
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you are far too kind my friend and I am deeply grateful for your generous sentiments. Thank YOU very much indeed.
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My pleasure ❤
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Thank you dear friend.
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😊😊🌸
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,✌️ peace
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Afzal, friend of my soul, I am sorry I haven’t commented on your posts… I had been heartbroken with bits of me scattered. Till I met a friend here, who is trying to assimilate the pieces to join me together… I couldn’t breathe, forget living, I couldn’t sleep… Now I am better… Sorry and I duly apologise… But I didn’t want to feel anymore, mine or others’? Do I make sense?
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you make total sense – I have bipolar disorder and know a bit about the deep lows and the manic highs but that’s me and all I can do is try to manage the disorder – you have nothing to apologise for – I actually only saw all comments today – I didn’t know I had comments pending – so I haven’t responded to almost all of them. I am relieved that you are doing much better and I wish you well, my friend. Life is harsh in this cruel world and we must hold onto the good souls that come our way. Thank you again and absolutely no need for apologies. ever. take care my friend.
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I have never been to Johannesburg but it is one of the places on my wish list! Really jice post!
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And you are most most welcome my friend. Thank you for your kind and warm words
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Your post was really nice which was what me comment so. Keep writing friend!
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many thanks friend! your warm sentiments are deeply appreciated
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You’re welcome!
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