27 November 2012

THERE IS NOTHING TO BELIEVE IN


THERE IS NOTHING TO BELIEVE IN  
© Farouk Asvat  

There is nothing more to say.

Politeness can be devastating
Love can turn to laughter
As I sit here in the corner
With crumpled heart
Wondering what it's all about

While my mentors seek wisdom
In silence
Or strategies of a new kind

But still
New friendships come from old hurts
And tomorrow you'll see me
Quickfooted and clowning on the corner
Wondering what it's all about


© farouk asvat

composed: 1985 [Johannesburg, South Africa under apartheid].

[] Acknowledgements:

There Is Nothing More To Say / There Is Nothing To Believe In was previously published in:

     A Celebration Of Flames, (donker, p36, 1987);
     A Celebration of Flames (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, California, p30, 1988);
     Horses: Athlone (eKapa & Buchu Books, Cape Town, p15, 1988);
     Er Is Niets Om In Te Geloven: Dutch translation by Irene Scheltes (1989);
     A Celebration Of Flames (piquant publications, p48, 2007);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (27.11.2012);
     A Celebration Of Flames (kindle, 2014);
     A Celebration Of Flames (paperback, p48, 2014).

new edited version: 17.04.2012

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL Sadness In The House Of Love by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $15 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL The Gathering Of The Storm by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology I Dream In Long Sentences by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology The Wind Still Sings Sad Songs by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology A Celebration Of Flames by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology The Time Of Our Lives by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology Bra Frooks … by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $7.50 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the SHORT STORIES The Paanies Are Coming by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the collection of literary ESSAYS Weapons of Words by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

© farouk asvat.  All rights reserved.

Farouk Asvat asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means whatsoever, or transmitted in any form or any means whatsoever, mechanical or electronic, including recording, printing, photocopying, or via any computerised means or media, including the internet.  This publication shall also not be stored in a retrieval system.  And the writing shall not be sold, lent, hired, resold or circulated in any form or binding or cover other than that in which it is published,
without the prior permission of the author in writing.
Permission to publish or reproduce the writings in any format can be obtained from the author.
Reproduction of this work without permission, except for scholarly & nonprofit purposes,
is liable to a payment of 10, 000 ren men bi or US$ 1,500.

farouk asvat can be contacted at: farouk.asvat@gmail.com

[] please check out my blogs @:





books by farouk asvat: www.faroukasvat-books.blogspot.com

[] also link up on:






amazon kindle author @ www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat

_______________________________________________________
[] ER IS NIETS OM IN TE GELOVEN 

     Dutch translation by © Irene Scheltes

Er is niets om in te geloven
Beleefdheid kan vernietigend zijn
Liefde kan omslaan in spot
Terwijl ik hier in een hoekje zit
Met verkreukeld hart
En me afvraag aar het allemaal om draait

Terwijl mijn leermeesters wijsheid zoeken
In stilte
Of nieuwe strategieën.

Maar toch,
Nieuwe vriendschappen ontstaan uit oude pijn;
En morgen zul je me zien
Snelvoetig, clownesk op de hoek
Me afvragend waar het allemaal om draait

     Dutch translation by kind permission of © Irene Scheltes

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL Sadness In The House Of Love by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $15 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

#love #literature #fiction #novel #poetry #southafrica #apartheid #books #classics
#faroukasvat #weapons of words #comparative literature #literary criticism
#a celebration of flames #there is nothing to believe in 

          www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat 

20 November 2012

IT IS THE SEASON OF DYING

IT IS THE SEASON OF DYING 
© Farouk Asvat 

Now that we live in the age of lies
Truth shies from its chosen course
Prefers to sleep with courtesans

Even when bulldozers crouch
Hyena-like
Ready to leap
Even while soldiers sleep
Holding their loved ones
FN rifles by their side

Our resolve lie scattered
Like litter in the slums
Human debris in the townships
Bound for a pauper's funeral


© farouk asvat

composed: 1976 [Johannesburg, South Africa under apartheid]

[] Acknowledgements:

It Is The Season Of Dying was previously published in:

     The Time Of Our Lives (black thoughts publications, p39, 1982);
     The Star [as "Now"] (Argus, Johannesburg, p32a, 19.11.1981);
     The Indicator (Caxton, Johannesburg, p11, 11.06.1985);
     Poetry of the People (video), ed Diana Simson (Sached, Johannesburg, March 1987);
     The Time Of Our Lives (piquant publications, p82, 2007);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (20.11.2012);
     The Time Of Our Lives (kindle, 2014);
     The Time Of Our Lives (amazon paperback, p82, 2014).

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL Sadness In The House Of Love by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $15 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL The Gathering Of The Storm by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology I Dream In Long Sentences by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology The Wind Still Sings Sad Songs by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology A Celebration Of Flames by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology The Time Of Our Lives by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology Bra Frooks … by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $7.50 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the SHORT STORIES The Paanies Are Coming by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the collection of literary ESSAYS Weapons of Words by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

© farouk asvat.  All rights reserved.

Farouk Asvat asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means whatsoever, or transmitted in any form or any means whatsoever, mechanical or electronic, including recording, printing, photocopying, or via any computerised means or media, including the internet.  This publication shall also not be stored in a retrieval system.  And the writing shall not be sold, lent, hired, resold or circulated in any form or binding or cover other than that in which it is published,
without the prior permission of the author in writing.
Permission to publish or reproduce the writings in any format can be obtained from the author.
Reproduction of this work without permission, except for scholarly & nonprofit purposes,
is liable to a payment of 10, 000 ren men bi or US$ 1,500.

farouk asvat can be contacted at: farouk.asvat@gmail.com

[] please check out my blogs @:





books by farouk asvat: www.faroukasvat-books.blogspot.com

[] also link up on:






amazon kindle author @ www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL Sadness In The House Of Love by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $15 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

#love #literature #fiction #novel #poetry #southafrica #apartheid #books #classics
#faroukasvat #weapons of words #comparative literature #literary criticism
#the time of our lives #it is the season of dying

          www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat 


13 November 2012

THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LEAVE


THERE IS TOO MUCH TO LEAVE  
© Farouk Asvat  

There is too much to leave
The blood of growing up
The call of the ancestors
The longing for your hardened tones
The feel of cinnamon loam

     But the sea keeps whispering
     And the banjo keeps strumming
     And the heart keeps forming words
     Trapped by the hardened lips

And the heart,
Cloaked in onionpeels of steel
Caught in the inertia of ideologies
Between swollen bellies smiling for the camera
And children disappearing into the rescue of graves,
Keeps waiting for the delicate kiss
To unveil the sorrow of doves imprisoned there.


© farouk asvat

composed: 1985 [Johannesburg, South Africa under apartheid]

[] Acknowledgements:

There Is Too Much To Leave / There Is Nothing More To Say was previously published in:

     A Celebration Of Flames, (donker, p37, 1987);
     Upstream 2(2) (Edgemead, p13, Autumn 1984);
     Exiles Within (Writers' Forum, Cape Town, p1 & p6, 1985);
     A Celebration of Flames (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, California, USA, p31, 1988);
     Englisch Amerikanische Studien 10(2) (München, Germany, p262, 1988);
     Er Is Teveel Om Achter Te Laten: Dutch translation by Irene Scheltes (1989);
     Processed World 29 (Processed World, San Francisco, USA, p33, December 1992);
     A Celebration Of Flames (piquant publications, p49, 2007);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (13.11.2012);
     A Celebration Of Flames (kindle, 2014);
     A Celebration Of Flames (paperback, p49, 2014).
[]
     () as There Is Nothing To Believe In:
A Celebration of Flames
     (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, California, USA, p30, 1988);
Horses: Athlone (eKapa & Buchu Books, Cape Town, p15, 1988);
     () as There Is Nothing More To Say:
Upstream 2(2) (Edgemead, p13, Autumn 1984);
     () as part of There Is Too Much To Leave:
Exiles Within [part of]
     (Writers' Forum, Cape Town, p6, 1985);
Processed World 29 (Processed World, San Francisco, USA, p33, December 1992);
# composed: 1985 [Johannesburg, South Africa under apartheid].
(new edited version: 17.04.2012)

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL Sadness In The House Of Love by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $15 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL The Gathering Of The Storm by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology I Dream In Long Sentences by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology The Wind Still Sings Sad Songs by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology A Celebration Of Flames by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology The Time Of Our Lives by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the anthology Bra Frooks … by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $7.50 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the SHORT STORIES The Paanies Are Coming by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the collection of literary ESSAYS Weapons of Words by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $10 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

© farouk asvat.  All rights reserved.

Farouk Asvat asserts his moral right to be identified as the author of this work.
No part of this publication may be reproduced by any means whatsoever, or transmitted in any form or any means whatsoever, mechanical or electronic, including recording, printing, photocopying, or via any computerised means or media, including the internet.  This publication shall also not be stored in a retrieval system.  And the writing shall not be sold, lent, hired, resold or circulated in any form or binding or cover other than that in which it is published,
without the prior permission of the author in writing.
Permission to publish or reproduce the writings in any format can be obtained from the author.
Reproduction of this work without permission, except for scholarly & nonprofit purposes,
is liable to a payment of 10, 000 ren men bi or US$ 1,500.

farouk asvat can be contacted at: farouk.asvat@gmail.com

[] please check out my blogs @:





books by farouk asvat: www.faroukasvat-books.blogspot.com

[] also link up on:






amazon kindle author @ www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat

_______________________________________________________
[] ER IS TEVEEL OM ACHTER TE LATEN  

     Dutch translation by © Irene Scheltes

Er is teveel om achter te laten
Het bloed van volwassen worden
De roep van de voorouders
Het verlangen naar je geharde toon
Het voelen van geelbruin leem

Maar de zee fluistert
Banjo's blijven dansen
En het hart blijft woorden vormen
Gevangen door geharde lippen

     Het hart,
     Gehuld in stalen uienschillen
     Gevangen in trage ideologieën
     Tussen dikke buiken lachend voor de camera
     En kinderen verdwijnend in verlossende graven,
     Blijft wachten op de subtiele kus
     Om de droefheid bloot te leggen van daar gekooidc duiven.

          Dutch translation by kind permission of  © Irene Scheltes

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL Sadness In The House Of Love by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: paperback @ $15 & kindle @ only $5
[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]

#love #literature #fiction #novel #poetry #southafrica #apartheid #books #classics
#faroukasvat #weapons of words #comparative literature #literary criticism
#a celebration of flames #there is too much to leave