Once again, my sisters poetry blog and her exercises in “Blues” poetry inspired me to write this poem (ok, she insisted). If I may paraphrase from her site and what she had to say about the Blues genre:
One of the most popular forms of American poetry, the blues poem stems from the African-American oral tradition and the musical tradition of the blues. The phrase ‘the blues’ is a synonym for having a fit of the blue devils, meaning down spirits, depression and sadness. A blues poem typically takes on themes such as struggle, despair and sex. African-American writer Ralph Ellison said that although the blues are often about struggle and depression, they are also full of determination to overcome difficulty ‘through sheer toughness of spirit.’ this resilience in the face of hardship is one of the hallmarks of the blues poem.
So without further ado:
June 16, 1976
Shanty town, forlorn frown, ready for a riot
Brothers moan, trodden down, ready for a riot
Tyres ready, petrol poured – perhaps it’s necklace time?
Trouble stirring, people stewing, ready for a fight
Teachers fighting, children fuming, ready for a fight
Shamboks, spears and assegais – now it’s toyi-toyi time.
Bullets, helmets, hear the shout – show them strength and might
Marching forward, break them out – show them strength and might
Open Fire! Screams ignored – hold the bloody line!
Children dragged into the street – beat them black and blue
Mothers screaming, see them weep – they don’t know what to do
Torn, ripped, bleeding stripped – do they know their crime?
Broken bottles, burning tyres, what a sickening sight
Screaming, crying, petrol fires, what a sickening sight
Drag the culprits off, away; they must do their time.
Stinking cells, prison bars, years of yardtime bore
Robben Island fog rolls in, somehow spirits soar
Forgive, forget, move on, don’t resent – will it be in time?
Strangely then a man arose from a prison cell
Each day he lived alone, within, inside his private hell
Out he came, united man, a period of peacetime
Began anew, fresh as dew, forgive the ‘76 riot
Holding hands, children grew, forget the ‘76 riot
Together walk the Long Walk, freedom; unity: mine.
Absolutely FANTASTIC, Ian! I got goosebumps reading it which, in my opinion, is a sign of a good poem!
Well done, you did a great job!
Having lived through the 1976 riots, it was quite chilling to read your poem, each and every line was a picture in our minds. Well done, hopefully you will never have to write about such times ever again.
It is an amazing poem Ian and so captures the life and times of South Africa. Keep up the amazing creations, you have a gift.
I am glad that I have managed to challenge your creative juices
Thanks for the feedback and support guys. Really appreciate it.