Poetry

A Test of Character

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen

I have died many deaths
not by the sword of a foe
but by that of a friend
trying to outsmart truth

The future is rimmed
with uncertainty that tests
resilience and character

In uncertain times
friends pick up swords
and slash all hope

For choosing hope is to confirm
– anything is possible

How dare you acknowledge the truth!

I have died many deaths
but I’m still here to testify,
for someone neglected
to wipe the blood.

For Midweek Motif, Poems To Weather Uncertain Times, at Poets United.

process note: Here is a quote by Adam McKay, I like very much “Truth is like poetry. And most people fucking hate poetry.”

If you don’t believe that some people hate poetry the truth, please read The poet must die by Don Mattera. I believe he wrote it during uncertain times in the history of South Africa. It’s my favourite poem by him (and has actually inspired this my poem above) because it shows what poetry can do.

Poetry

Now, I Shall Walk!

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen

I think of a word
simple and sacred.
Yet nothing comes
to mind in praise of
slowness.

For the restless mind
with thoughts swirling
like a gypsy skirt is stuck

Walk—
something so pedestrian
the mind boggles
and feet start to argue
for what better way
to escape the mundane
than court a birdsong
and be astonished
by forests enchanted

Now, I shall walk!

For Midweek Motif, Walk, at Poets United.

process note: When I saw the prompt, I was excited at first. But soon after, I got totally blocked because there is walking, and walking. The latter, for me, is like a prayer. And, how do I begin to write about something so personal! I only hope I did the prompt justice.

As it happens, I’m about to embark on a whole lot of walking as we travel from city to city around the country. This means I’ll either have a WI-FI connection or not depending on where we are. So, I apologize in advance for slow reading and responding to comments.

Reading & Mini Reviews

2019 Absorbing Reads

Posted on by Khaya Ronkainen

This week I thought I’d update you on my Summer Reads by sharing lessons learned or take aways from the books I’ve finished reading already. So, here we go…

1. Survival of the Fittest by Jacqui Murray:

What drew me to this book is the name of the main protagonist, Xhosa, and the setting. The story, set 850,000 years ago, deals with hardship and determination as a tribe led by a female warrior migrates in search of a new home. 

It’s clear as they journey along, and meet other tribes that they need to learn to trust others, join forces if they are going to defeat the enemy. 

I have met many Leaders, as I am sure you have. They either meet my gaze or look elsewhere. Which it tells me all I need to know about whether they will be friend or foe.

2. The Firm by John Grisham

I picked this book (and A Time to Kill also by Grisham) from a thrift store for only two euros. Grisham is one of those famous writers I’ve never read until now.

And I very happy, I finally did. The lesson for me from this one: “if it’s sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

3. A Velocity of Being: Letters to a Young Reader edited by Maria Popova & Claudia Bedrick

The letters in this book are written for young readers by different authors, artists and experts from all walks of life. I felt a child, myself as I read. Because some of these letters took me back to my own childhood of finding solace in books, feeling understood and dreaming of far away places with white Christmases. 🙂 The key message for me here: love of books is one of the best ways to widen a child’s world.

There are times when dreams sustain us more than facts. To read a book and surrender to a story is to keep our very humanity alive. 

4. How Often I Have Chosen Love by Xiao Yue Shan

Shan’s poems speak of places I’ve never been; the complex history of China, a life in Hong Kong and apartments of San Francisco. Yet I relate to the perpetual complex sense of home and nuanced families.

I also like her writing style and voice a lot. One of my favourite poems is, and hong kong was always this shade of light blue. Btw, this chapbook is available for free. If you love poetry do yourself a favour, download and read!

5. The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz

When I read the summary of The Four Agreements from Kathy’s Instagram post I knew it was a book I had to read, even though it wasn’t on my reading list.

The book deals with how self-limiting beliefs rob us of joy and create needless suffering. The timing was just right, and the second agreement resonated with me most.

When we really see other people as they are without taking it personally, we can never be hurt by what they say or do.

That’s it for now, folks. Of course, I’m always interested to hear about your reads. Care to share a book that has made an impression on you, so far?

Other than that, Happy Midsummer / Hauskaa Juhannusta! I’ll be celebrating mine soaking up the sun, and with a good book. 😀