Book launch

I GOT ROBBED!!!!!
Ok fine not robbed in that sense but I got seduced then I was molested. Yes some people may think I am a stupid fool and I may be inclined to believe them. But then of what use are temptations if we can't yield to them???

But then in my defence what kind of Man will I be if I didn't say YES!!! Any man worth his weight in gold would have leapt to the occasion and honestly I am worth a little less than than but my shadow is heavier that I am.

The words leapt from the mouth to some parts on my being I didn't know existed. They resonated to something in me. Left me agape with wonder. I was bowled over. I had this itch that I couldn't wait to scratch. I tried to be sneaky about it but my efforts were doused with buckets loads of water, I jus had to be patient

Then the floodgates were swung open and I gushed out sweeping aside all that was in my way as I raced to grab my chance lest it might slip of my grasp. I marched forward opened my wallet took out a soiled $20.00 bill and boldly declared my interest.

I mentioned my name and the pen scribbled for Itai...

Relief!!!!

Yes I have my signed copy of "Mars his sword" The biggest collection of poetry in sonnet form by one author, Philani A Nyoni

Of artist and praise singers

I want you to be independent critical thinkers who will do exactly as I say. Paradox? Maybe, maybe not but that is the exact message that is being said to our artist, the recent throwing out of a sculpture by one Owen Maseko is a case in point.

But really, what is the role of an artist in the society??? Of what use are artists to us in our everyday eking for a brighter tomorrow. Me thinks artist are a mirror for society. The artist has to reflect that which is in front of his lens when he focuses on society. And how does he portray that??? That is the million dollar question

Do we really need to sensor artists?? If we need to and if we do are we not censoring thought?? What difference is there between censorship and imposing brain tax, at this rate it will be illegal to think new thought we are to behave like parrots and only say that which we have been told to say. But who tells us what to say and why???

Censorship derives from fear, and what we really fear is our reflection on the mirror. Owen's piece was said to be sensitive sexually. Really now?? Are we going to talk of sexuality at an era when we are distributing condoms in school?? Whose ignorance are we trying to protect??

Further allegations were that some comments written in chalk we too sensitive but then again comments in CHALK, how hard is it to erase those??? Isn't taking the piece of art outside more consuming in terms of effort and time than erasing the comments???

I am of the idea that we need to let our artist flourish in the best way they can without any fear. For ultimately it is through their work that we reflect on what is wrong with our society and remedy therefrom. We need a society with more independent thinkers than praise singers. We have an overflow of bootlickers as is.

In parting I quote Censorship reflects a society's lack of confidence in itself - Potter Stewart

Intwasa

So today I attended Intwasa 2015 after missing out on yesterday's opening act due to holes in my pockets, no I did not lose money I was broke.

Wine Women and Words and Tjo!! there were beautiful women indeed and words are synonymous with women. Scientifically it has been proved women speak more words in a day compared to men. Don't ask me about the source of the research that is not the issue here. Wine??? Maybe it was meant for display as there were not enough wine glasses for everyone. Honestly how can you print more than 100 tickets for an event that you intend to serve wine then have 40 wine glasses??? No I didn't count them because if I had done so I would have discovered they were actually 38

The program said the show would start at 17:00 and by 16:58 i had arrived only to be told they were still setting up at 17:05 i attempted to pay my way in and the lady by the door said she had no change, I waited. later I paid my way in and still the show hadn't started and no apologies were offered after all we had no better things to do with our lifes and they were doing us a favour by providing us with entertainment, no not entertainment but world class entertainment. At 17:40 the show hadn't started with us being their loyal and submissive people had to wait and still no apology was offered. i mean we are small people and we are always at the mercy of big people who run around and pull strings for such shows to take place and their efforts take a year to bear fruit, whats an hour delay after all. these big people spent sleepless night putting the festival up so small people like me have to bow down and wait on their timing, they know these things who am I besides a lover of wine words and women.

Later just before 17:50 the show began and to warm up the stage the trio One Night Stand, No they said they are not called One stand, they are One Stand. And boy were they good!!! If I were a musical producer I would have offered them a deal in an instant (if they dont already have one that is) they are a trio to watch for the future.

The first poet to go on stage was Tinashe, she is good. No she aint good, she is very good. She has a way with words I started thinking of all the times I used to eat pop corn in class and not pay attention to my English teacher. If only I was that half good with words...
I loved her piece on the universally accepted standards of beauty, if the women listened to the flow of her words and not the flow of wine, am sure they would appreciate themselves more without wanting to bleach or turning to cheap weaves.

Next up was Fungai (yes the computer puts a jagged line under her name) Her first piece was done to percussion from Stanley Stanley and I was mind blown with the way Stanley did his thing with the vase.
Fungai then did her signature poem "You don't know me" A few people in the house who follow Bulawayo poetry have heard this poem a few times, I was kind of hoping for something new

Francesca was up next, she is British but of Malay ancestory, the imagery in her first piece was too first world for my African exposure. You see the only exposure to first world trends I have is mostly through twitter since I own neither a DSTV decoder nor a television (yes angila tv and no angiyifuni) (handina tv and no handiide) her redemption for me was an interactive piece that required us to wave hands in response to her questions and boy the amount of liars in the house!!!!

Moreblessing Size followed after and she was jus too beautiful for word. Yes her poetry was too beautiful. I learnt a thing which I hope our local (Bulawayo) poets need to master. you do not have to shout at the top of your voice through out the poem, slow down whisper let the crowd strain to hear you keep them engaged.

Lady Tshwane was brilliant

And yes I love Deana, she was deep, the kind of poetry that speaks to your consciousness.

One Night Stand closed of the show and they showed diversity when they did a cover of a Lucky Dube song.

Intwasa should invest more in crowd control as there was noise from part of the crowd at the back and it interfered with my poetry

the performance by all the acts was beautiful and brilliant and I suggest that the organizers work harder to make their logistics as beautiful as the acts they bring up.

No, I am not complaining I am airing out my views and yes the delays pissed me off

Misconceived misperceptions

I didn't go to school

Some people are other people their thoughts a quotation their actions a mimicry. - Oscar Wilde

The events of the past few days have put the above quotation to the fore of my mind. I mean people froth and form over sentiments that we carved from statements that were never uttered. And the boomerang effect has been more than an echo from a hollow cave.

Is this all??

How many of our dreams have we sacrificed? The future always looks brighter and the options are appealing from far off but when held near they are just like fire flies that glow when looked at from afar but when held close they possess neither heat nor light.

Everyday school children wreck their brains trying to learn difficult concepts, always trying to outdo each other and be the best with the hope that in the immediate future their efforts will be rewarded but is this what happens?

it is the same with all aspects of life you have to do better than everyone else so can be recognized as the best and harvest the best fruit life has to offer but is it what really happens?

We have been conditioned to seek help outside ourselves. We are perpetually in a race to outdo and outsmart each other when the real person  we have to conquer is ourselves. We chase dreams that quickly  turn into mist. Our life pass us by as we groan eking for a better tomorrow when life has to be lived now.

Is this all there is to life or we have been sold a dummy?

Who am I

This is the beginning of a journey, one that has been long overdue one that which was yet to come a social experiment if you will, not necessarily an attempt but a product that gets refined each time it is made and as such feed back is necessary.

Why Random thoughts vs Emaciated voice?
Random thoughts in that I write that which is at the fore of my mind, I cannot term it fiction because in my mental realm it exist and as such it cannot be fiction. it follows no form or order it is some form of rebellion against conformity. it is that which my mind gives birth to during the long hours spent with me

Emaciated voice is the social outcry part of the part. These  are my experiences and I will say they out in my small voice that has for long been suppressed by fear of labels fear of letting bare the false comforts that have for long been kept untouched so people are hoodwinked that all is well. yes i will talk to the people and yes i will put their narrative out here and the people will know that it is only a soft veil of lies that covers the painful truth that attack our everyday existence. And this shrill voice shall be heard high above the loud din of the disco that echos our emptiness. And the picture will hurt the eye but the truth shall be revealed and once the eye has seen, it cannot unsee.

This is the beginning