30 October 2012

ON THE PERIPHERY


ON THE PERIPHERY  
© Farouk Asvat  

On the periphery of so many things
Why did you not listen
To your heart
When you listened
To your mother's flesh

But I have exorcised the ghost
Of your laughter
And the mirror of madness
That was my eyes
For so many seasons

Now I sit here and watch you
Sadness reflecting your life
     Love buried beneath the years
     Of the music you desired
     In the comfort of luxurious lounges


© farouk asvat

composed: 1985 [Johannesburg, South Africa under apartheid]

[] Acknowledgements:

On The Periphery was previously published in:  

     A Celebration Of Flames (donker, p38, 1987);
     A Celebration of Flames (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, USA, p32, 1988);
     Aan De Periferie: Dutch translation by Irene Scheltes (1989);
     A Celebration Of Flames (piquant publications, p50, 2007);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (30.10.2012);
     A Celebration Of Flames (amazon kindle, 2014);
     A Celebration Of Flames (amazon paperback, p50, 2014).

(different versions: edited: 2007)

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

_______________________________________________________
[] AAN DE PERIFERIE  

     Dutch translation by © Irene Scheltes

Aan de periferie van zovee l dingen,
Waarom luisterde je niet
Naar je hart
Toen je luisterde
Naar je moeders vlees

Maar ik heb de kwade geest uitgedreven
Van je lach
En de spiegel van waanzin
Die mijn ogen varen
Seizoenen achtereen

Nu zit ik hier en houd je in het oog
Verdriet weerspiegelt je leven:
Liefde ligt begraven onder de jaren
Van de muziek waarnaar je verlangde
In de weelde van luxueuze salons

Terwijl ik hier werk
Verweg
In de rustieke omgeving
Van een kliniek aan de periferie
Waar de honger loert
In de kozijnen van schamele huizen
In de ogen van schurftige honden
Op de rug van morogo-plukkende vrouwen:

We zitten in de keuken
Delen anecdotes en thee
Houdon hen in de gaten:

Springbok Reizen
Brengen een vrolijke troep toeristen
Kijkend door veilige verrekijkers
Van een heuvel op afstand:

Het leger van nijlpard en olifant
En de massa met molotovs,
Aangevuurd door de emoties van hun jeugdig avontuur
Hoe dan ook vermengd
Met het verlangen naar vrijheid,
Die hen niet toe zal laten
In de heksenketel van geweld:

Zij, roze gezichten, begerige ogen.
Moeten terug naar de plek
Waar frisse meisjes hul dijen ontbloten
In pin-up rokken, mode des doods
Pronkend in de neonstraten
Trotse gang naar vergetelheid

     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 #on the periphery 

          www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat 


23 October 2012

WANDERERS STREET


WANDERERS STREET  
© Farouk Asvat  

It was your sigh
That brought this song
Upon the wind

Sucked from the dredges of a winebottle
It brought Newclare to Fietas
Celebrating Mondaynightbluesparties in Western
Where the tickeylines dance the drunken streets

Your song came from the Six
The ghost of Newyearseve troubadours haunting your memory
Strumming the banjos of our scattered history
Lilting the songs of The Alabama
The oratory of imprisoned Sheikh Yusuf
Preaching magical revolution on the mainland

Your sigh came in staccatoed eloquence
Turned the Karoo into a colourful spring of ominous mist
Turned wine into blood of our youth
Made history dance with the characters of our ghettoes

Harmonying the discord of our lives
Your song played havoc with your intestines
Turned discipline into insanity
Madness into an order
That would not let me rest
Amidst the gallows and shadows of our alleyways

But still we danced the Pata Pata
Talked poetry into the night
Coffee and biscuits to keep us company
While distant rape screams
Mingled quietly into the night


© farouk asvat

composed: 1976 [Johannesburg, South Africa under apartheid]

[] Acknowledgements:

Wanderers Street was previously published in:

     The Time Of Our Lives (black thoughts publications, p64, 1982);
     A Celebration of Flames (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, California, p15, 1988);
     The Time Of Our Lives (piquant publications, p84, 2007);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (23.10.2012);
     The Time Of Our Lives (kindle, 2014);
     The Time Of Our Lives (amazon paperback, p84, 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 #wanderers street 

          www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat 


16 October 2012

THE WIND

THE WIND 
© Farouk Asvat  

The wind took
And brought everything.
And now that I ask
For a piece of flesh
My soul's not my own
Here in the land of sepulchral ogres
You take even the crumbs on the tablecloth

I know the powers of men.
But the wind.  The whimsical wind.

I never knew love
Cost so much
Listening to the laughter in your eyes
Echoing in a hundred sisters
Reverberating from the lips of a thousand aunts

Is this all that's left
From the seasons of fruit
This harvest of husks and winter twigs
How do buildings crumble so easily
Lakes dry so suddenly

But the pain of the past
Is only the beginning of the pain
Of the future
And the dance never ended
It only assumed another dress
Drowning metal and pebble in the mouth


© farouk asvat

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

[] Acknowledgements:

The Wind was previously published in:

     A Celebration Of Flames (donker, p41, 1987);
     A Celebration Of Flames (piquant publications, p51, 2007);
     A Celebration of Flames (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, California, USA, p34, 1988);
     De Wind:Dutch translation by Irene Scheltes (1989);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (16.10.2012);
     A Celebration Of Flames (kindle, 2014);
     A Celebration Of Flames (amazon paperback, p51, 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

_______________________________________________________
[] DE WIND 

     Dutch translation by © Irene Scheltes

De wind nam alles weg
Bracht alles terug.
En nu ik vraag
Om een stuk vlees
Is mi jn ziel niet de mijne
Hier in het land van lijkenpikkers
Neem je zelfs de kruimels op het tafelkleed

Ik ken de krachten der mensen.
Maar de wind.  De veerbarstige wind.

Ik wist nooit dat liefde
Zoveel kost
Luisterend naar de lach in jouw ogen
Echo in honderd zusters
Weerklinkend van de lippen van duizend tantes

Is dit a1 wat restte
Van seizoenen vol fruit
Deze oogst van schillen en winterse twijgen.
Wat storten gebouwen gemakkelijk in
Vallen meren plotseling droog

Maar de pijn van het verleden
Is slechts het begin van de pijn
Van de toekomst
En nooit stopte het dansen
Het tooide zich anders
Terwijl steentjes en staal in de mond verdronken

     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 #the wind 

          www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat