Kaleidoscope

I have often found that poetry has a wonderful way of inviting opinions and thoughts. It has the ability to bring about insights and understanding, while cultivating new notions into all topics. I suppose when considering Women’s Month, it seems somewhat fitting to use poetry to illustrate the sheer magnitude of being a woman. Simply put, women are often understood to be complex and emotional- and I see no need to defend such a viewpoint, as that in itself requires much strength. Therefore, I have opted to share a poem that celebrates people, our diversity, and rich perspectives. Ultimately, this poem seeks to address the beauty within and to celebrate our differences and individual challenges for the better…(Wow, this got so mushy)!

Kaleidoscope 

by Naseera Noor-Mahomed

Kaleidoscope of colour, I see what you don’t see.
Yellow edged into green and purple surfaced in blue.
I see so much of me in you.

Kaleidoscope of colour, I see what you don’t see,
Patterns of glory and admiration too.
There’s a part of me that lives inside of you.

Kaleidoscope of colour, I see what you don’t see,
Hippie colours of joy and embrace.
There is nothing more delicate than a smile on a face.

Kaleidoscope of colour, I see what you don’t see.
I see the depths of lines in horizontal and vertical flow.
It’s a beautiful picture and it’s not for show.

For in this Kaleidoscope, I see what no other can see.
I peep inside and see expressions of me.
In this Kaleidoscope I look solely through.
In this Kaleidoscope I see reflections of you.

Colours may entwine and patterns may reflect the shine,
but the Kaleidoscope provides a perspective that’s purely mine.

So take a look inside to reveal what you see,
and we’ll compare the visions of you and me.

Who should I vote for?

Who should I vote for?

As a Political Analyst and Leadership Strategist (yes, I am trying to get more comfortable with these titles) I am often posed with this rhetorical question- who should I vote for?

I find myself not wanting to provide an answer, not because I fear the reaction (admittedly sometimes I do), but moreover because I find the motive behind the question itself to be a little more menacing.

Firstly, some ask simply because they are keen to magnify your abilities and to assess your political acumen and worth…and more importantly whether you agree with their political stance.

Secondly, others ask because they legitimately have no inclination as to which party to identify with.

Thirdly, those who ask in order to reassure you that they are not going to vote, because well frankly they are fed up and don’t see much point in queuing, inking, and marking.

Regardless of these approaches, what remains certain is that people do not pose such a question without careful consideration. This deliberate question indicates that the questioners care, even when some claim not to. They pose this question because they have reflected on the society theyind themselves in.

The reality in which we live is met with several perspectives, we face unique challenges and feats. While some complain about loadshedding, others complain that they’ve never experienced the magic of electricity- not now and not ever. It’s true corruption rules the day, state hospitals do not have beds, schools are without books, our homes are reminiscent of prisons. And I’m aware- these are just highlights from the news. Yet there too remains much to celebrate, if anything we practice out beliefs freely, we stay where we choose to, and we compete with the best in the world in almost every industry!

Indeed, we are living in strange times. The road ahead seems long, tedious and pot holed- but this is our road to take. We have to remember that like most journeys it may be met with mechanical faults, meanders, and moody weather; but our journey includes milestones, meetings and mediation.

It won’t be easy (it never has been), but we are on the road and we best be aware of the drivers, as they are as important as the destination we have been promised.

Now, in a more poetic sense, who should lead us to the promised land? I think that that decision should remain calculated. Vote for the party you’ll work with, not the party you hope will do all the work for you.

Kind regards and peace,

Naseera

Irrelevant when we start, it is only important that we do.

Often when one embarks on a new endeavor, it is part circumstance and it is part choice. Perhaps, we finally find the courage and the time to act upon ideas we once had.

It is with such hope that I enter the world of blogging- so that I too might share my ideas, my opinions and my creativity. The aim of ‘poetlitika’ is to simply fuse poetry and politics- because one can!

Poetry, is understood to be a form of literary art and its root word is found within Greek origin (poiesis) which directly means “making”.  The basic understanding of politics was provided through its Greek derivative. Simply put, politika refers to all issues “relating to citizens”.

It is with this understanding that I understood poetry and politics to be a fairly whimsical, but noteworthy couple- for each directly encompasses the way we view the world.

I look forward to sharing how I see it!

Kind regards and peace,

Naseera