26 February 2013

WITHERING UNDER THE AZALEAS

WITHERING UNDER THE AZALEAS  
© Farouk Asvat  

I wither under red azaleas
Yearning for your welcoming laughter
That echoes from the south,
Or even a touch
Of the harsh unyielding face
Of the khaki highveld.

Here, with the pink pride of India
Waving in the wind
And a million Indian mynahs
Dancing in the rain
Where the leather workers go about
Their stuporosed jobs,
I live a banished life
Stethoscoping alien bodies

I watch the azaleas wither
In the winter evening mist
Look at the distant white mandir
Against the avocado hill
The ominous black partridges
Looming like poverty on the green field.

© farouk asvat

composed: 1981 [pietermaritzburg, south africa under apartheid]

[] acknowledgements:
Withering Under The Azaleas was previously published in:
The Time Of Our Lives (black thoughts publications, p84, 1982);
The Indicator (caxton, johannesburg, p26, 27-31.05.1986);
Exiles Within (writers' forum, cape town, p4, 1985);
A Celebration of Flames (heller fund, uc berkeley, usa, p18, 1988);
The Time Of Our Lives (piquant publications, p28, 2007);
The Time Of Our Lives (kindle, 2014);
The Time Of Our Lives (amazon paperback, p28, 2014).
___________________________________________________________________________    
[§] Books by Farouk Asvat:

Sadness In The House Of Love (novel)
The Gathering Of The Storm (novel)
I Dream In Long Sentences (poetry)
The Wind Still Sings Sad Songs (poetry)
A Celebration Of Flames (poetry)
The Time Of Our Lives (poetry)
This Masquerade (short stories)
Bra Frooks … (poetry)*
The Paanies Are Coming (short stories)*
In The House Of Love (novel)*
Weapons Of Words (literary criticism)

¨ all my books are now available on amazon: in paperback & kindle
___________________________________________________________________________     
[] please check out my blogs @:


[] please join me on:

___________________________________________________________________________    
© 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.

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
the NOVEL Sadness In The House Of Love by Farouk Asvat
is now available on amazon: in 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 #withering #under #the #azaleas

 

19 February 2013

THE JOURNEY OF A SLAVE

THE JOURNEY OF A SLAVE  
© Farouk Asvat  

Toiling for a tot
I am hopelessly entwined
To the creeping vineyards

But I have often dreamed
Of riding Ben Schoeman 3rd class
To the mother city
Whose fathers abandoned me
To squat outside the periphery
Of the master's conscience

But in the meantime
I can always ride Blue Train Express
On journeys that will always bring me back
To squeeze with chapped feet these succulent drops
To make the distinctive Paarl Perlé
So that I can drink the bitter sediment

And when there's a little money sometimes
I can always drink Ship
And be lulled by the gentle waves
Be tossed by the violent storms
Only to be returned to the rocks of reality
To spend my days sweating
My nights in another toil

But with the years
If there is no salvation
Like the lord Jesus Kristus promises
Every Sunday in the whitewashed church
And there's no journeying from this wasteland
And the wine is turned to water
In my seasoned gullet
I can always mix Rocket Fuel
Astronaut to hell
And rest in peace


© farouk asvat

composed: 1980 [Cape Town, South Africa under apartheid]

[] Acknowledgements:

The Journey Of A Slave was previously published in:

     The Time Of Our Lives (black thoughts publications, p34, 1982);
     Staffrider 2(3) (Ravan, Johannesburg, p31, Jul/Aug 1979);
     The Return of the Amasi Bird, ed T Couzens
          (Ravan, Johannesburg, p346, 1982);
     Ask Any Black Man (Ravan, Johannesburg, p`, 1982);
     Dokumente Texte und Tendenzen VIII Reader
          (Evangelische Akademie, Germany, p34, 1987);
     A Celebration of Flames (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, California, USA, p12, 1988);
     Botsotso 12, (Botsotso, Johannesburg, p59, 2002);
     The Time Of Our Lives (piquant publications, p56, 2007);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (19.02.2013);
     The Time Of Our Lives (kindle, 2014);
     The Time Of Our Lives (amazon paperback, p56, 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 #the journey of a slave #journey #slave 

          www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat 

12 February 2013

FLOWERGIRL ON THE PARADE

FLOWERGIRL ON THE PARADE  
© Farouk Asvat  

Now you flaunt
Flutter on gull-span wings
Eyes fluttering like dove-wings
As you flit about with poise

There was an unknown smile in your laughter
When I asked your name
And you handed me a bunch of flowers

Tomorrow is the festival of the sacrifice
And you will smile over your warm glass of spiced milk
At your mother's favourite suitor invited for the day
While you think of the white youth whispering to you
As you crept into the warmth of his rancid flesh

What will you do, my Bahia
Of the Bo-Kaap to the Bonteheuwel:
Will you take your love
From the scraggy gardens of your neighbourhood
Or dream of mansions your fair skin would have earned you
Will you wife that unctuous Moor
To become more holy than his bloody wife
Or sell your love for a bottle o' booze on streetcorners
Smiling your tooth-gap smile

But surely age will teach you new ploys
To keep men seeking
That mystery within you


© farouk asvat

composed: 1980 [Cape Town, South Africa under apartheid].

[] Acknowledgements:

# Flowergirl On The Parade /
* Flowergirl Oppie Parrara was previously published in:

     The Time Of Our Lives (black thoughts publications, p66, 1982); *
     A Celebration of Flames (Heller Fund, UC Berkeley, California, USA, p17, 1988); *
     The Time Of Our Lives (piquant publications, p58, 2007); #
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (12.02.2013); # *
     The Time Of Our Lives (kindle, 2014); #
     The Time Of Our Lives (amazon paperback, p58, 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

_______________________________________________________
[] WIETIE WHAT-WHAT:

FLOWERGIRL OPPIE PARRARA 
© Farouk Asvat 

Now you flaunt
Flutter on gull-span wings
Eyes fluttering like dove-wings
As you flit about with poise

There was an unknown smile in your laughter
When I asked your name
And you handed me a bunch of flowers

Tomorrow is labarang
And you will smile over your glass of warm boeber
At your mother's favourite suitor invited for the day
While you think of the white youth whispering to you
As you crept into the warmth of his rancid flesh

What will you do, my Bahia
Van'nie Bo-Kaap tot by in'nie Bonteheuwel:
Will you take your love
From the scraggy gardens of your neighbourhood
Or dream of mansions your fair skin would have earned you
Will you wife that unctuous Moor
To become more saalig than his blérrie wife
Or sell your love for a borrel dop on streetcorners
Smiling your tooth-gap smile

But surely age will teach you new ploys
To keep men seeking
That mystery within you


Bra Frooks is ...
                    []  nes 'n skollie
                    []  'n egte skollie
                    []  'n tsotsi
                    []  a real scamp
                    []  streetwise
                    []  the jokerman

Bra Frooks ...
                    []  praat soos 'n skollie
                    []  wietie soos 'n joster
                    []  wietie what-what
                    []  tunes like a durbanite
                    []  speaks like an englishman

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
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 #flowergirl on the parade #flowergirl #parade 


05 February 2013

THE DANCING RHYTHMS OF THE SEA

THE DANCING RHYTHMS OF THE SEA 
© Farouk Asvat 

The dancing rhythms of the sea
The singing squall of a south-easter
The lilting lingo of a coon carnival
Were the laughing miracles of our lives

     Suddenly you were the spirit of our new fight
     The child shot in Elsies Rivier
     The charred remains of unwanted sacrifices
     Prometheus stealing the weapons of the gods
     Phoenix rising from the madness of the land

And now you jive to your carnival banjos
Deaf to the insistent talking drum


© farouk asvat

composed: 1980 [Cape Town, South Africa under apartheid]

[] Acknowledgements:

The Dancing Rhythms Of The Sea was previously published in:

     The Time Of Our Lives (black thoughts publications, p76, 1982);
     The Time Of Our Lives (piquant publications, p61, 2007);
     www.faroukasvat-poems.blogspot.com (05.02.2013);
     The Time Of Our Lives (kindle, 2014);
     The Time Of Our Lives (amazon paperback, p61, 2014).

     * (initially published as: The Season Of The Revolution)

[][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][][]
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 #the dancing rhythms of the sea

          www.amazon.com/author/faroukasvat