BY PHUMZILE NDLOVU
MBABANE – Happy World Poetry Day!
Today marks World Poetry Day. What better way than to let the ones who mesmerise us with artistic words tell us more about their day as poets?
To celebrate their special day, poets will today gather at the Mbabane Library Endibanweni American Corner from 2pm to 5pm. The entry is free. We spoke to a few poets and asked them to tell us more about what the day meant to them, and this is what they had to say:
Majaha ‘Poeticsoul’ Nkonyane
World Poetry Day is a celebration that ignites a fire in my soul and fills my heart with boundless inspiration. It is a day that holds immense significance, not just for me as a poet, but for all lovers of the written word around the globe.
To me, World Poetry Day is a reminder of the power of language, the beauty of expression, and the unity that poetry brings to humanity. It is a day to honour the diverse voices, cultures, and emotions that poetry encapsulates, transcending boundaries and connecting us on a profound level.
On this special day, I plan to celebrate by immersing myself in the works of renowned poets, both past and present, drawing inspiration from their words and allowing them to guide my own creative journey. I will also take the time to write and share my own poetry with others, spreading the joy and magic of verse to anyone willing to listen.
As a poet, I yearn to see a vibrant and inclusive art industry that values and supports creativity in all its forms. I dream of a world where poets are celebrated and given the platform to share their unique perspectives, enriching society with their words and insights.
If the scale was balanced, the benefits of being a poet in my country would be immeasurable. As a poet, Eswatini has an opportunity for poets to capture the essence of our culture, history, and traditions through verses, preserving them for future generations to cherish. Poetry allows me to express my thoughts and emotions in a way that resonates with others, fostering empathy, understanding, and connection.
On this World Poetry Day, let us come together as poets, artists, and dreamers, united by our love for language and our passion for creativity. Let us celebrate the power of poetry to uplift, inspire, and transform lives, making the world a more beautiful and harmonious place for all.
Nomfundo MoCats Sifundza
World Poetry Day is proof that those who came before us existed, made a mark, and passed on the baton to us to say the unthinkable and the less said.
I will be at the commemoration of World Poetry Day to be held at Endibanweni, listening to other poets nourish my soul with their words.
I’d like to see the arts industry grows, enable creatives to live off their own crafts, and be in a position to sustain agents and artist managers as well.
To my fellow poets, may we unite, truthfully, and wholeheartedly support each other with no hatred attached to it or ulterior motives.
In this industry, I stand aggrieved by fellow brothers with no valid reason; hence, I solemnly request that we spread the love to each other because all we have is each other. That said, may I wish every wordsmith a happy World Poetry Day and affirm that I love each and every one of them.
Annazide Dludlu
To me, World Poetry Day is a commemoration of the day the foundation of poetry was built. It is the celebration of the very essence that defines and makes poetry, from its diversity to its culture.
I will celebrate the day by doing what I love most: interacting with people and sharing my poetic art at the Mbabane Library, American Corner.
I would like to see more platforms for poetry and other arts as well that not only give us the floor to truly express our art but also give us an opportunity to make a profitable living out of it.
Well, the community of poets is the first benefit. You get the opportunity to meet such a diverse culture of different poets as well as their different aesthetics, which generally shows you that there is so much more to explore out there. And plus, among other things, you get to have a social life with people who speak the same poetic language as you.
To my fellow poets, let’s keep broadening our horizons. There are just so many opportunities for poets out there, and if we do it right, we might just be able to leave our footprints in the sands of earth and be forever remembered, just like William Shakespeare.
