South Africa (Mzansi), my Next Destination

A poem inspired by the vibrant Gauteng Province: "Eyes of Love" In Gauteng's embrace, where sunbeams kiss the dawn, A mustard seed on South Africa's map, yet vast in spirit, Eleven languages weave a tapestry of unity, Color-blind hearts, seeing through the eyes of love. The morning sun, bright as our collective future, Paints hope across the horizon, igniting dreams, And in this bustling province, where hustle meets passion, We navigate life's traffic, weaving purpose into existence. Martin Luther King Jr.'s dream echoes here: "Black children and white children will play together," And so we do—beyond race, tribe, and prejudice, For Gauteng's beauty lies in shared laughter and kinship. Yet shadows linger—the oil's slippery hands, Seeping into the ocean, staining seabirds black, A reminder that our actions ripple through nature, The sacred mingling with the profane, life entwined. As the sea breeze whispers tales of decay, We must ...

Jacarandas in Purple Bloom (a poem) In Pretoria's embrace, a purple sea unfurls, Jacarandas bloom, their petals kissed by spring. Not native to these lands, yet they thrive and twirl, Their vibrant hues a symphony that makes hearts sing. Seventy thousand trees, a floral tapestry, Lining streets and parks, a regal canopy. Jacaranda City, they call this place with glee, Where purple reigns supreme, a botanical symphony. From Klapperkop's heights, behold the view, A panorama of petals, a dream come true. White jacarandas stand, a contrast bold and true, Their sterile beauty gracing streets both old and new. Local legends whisper secrets in the breeze, For students, luck awaits among the blooms. Exams and blossoms intertwine with ease, A promise of success as petals fall like plumes. Late September to mid-November, their reign, The city bathed in purple, a fragrant refrain. And in this floral dance, memories remain, Of Jacarandas in Pretoria, forever etched ...