Whispering Hope – An Anthology of Verse is a collection of poetry mostly written by residents of Africa. This anthology is one of several books published by Whisper from the Heart Poetry Club, which encourages poets and artists from South African and around the globe to express themselves with freedom and confidence. Founded by Stan Almendro and currently operated with Stan’s Daughter, Giselle Visser, this club works to build a stronger economy and recognition for the literary talent presented in their books.
Readers will discover poets of all ages, from adults to young scholars. These poets are actually winners of the various contests the club has hosted in 2005. While some of the poets have multiple entries, others have single poems in the 222-page paperback book. Readers will notice that there are a few poems in the Afrikaan language.
The poetry covers sincere heart-felt moments in life, children, the joys of birth, the pain of grief, learning from mistakes, effects of disease and the power of hope. There are also a few religious and patriotic pieces presented in Whispering Hope as well.
Rather than attempt to describe to you the immense variety and interesting pieces in the book, let me show you some excerpts from some of my favorite pieces:
Denial, by Sumari Harmse is a poem about one’s legacy and complacency in life.
“…Caught in a world where people see
Only that which they want to
We are blinded
And do not wish to see the truth…”
“…A torn blindfold reveals that
Which I do not want to see
Thundering eyes
And bloodstained hands…”
Maria Grech Ganado’s Cracked Canvas tells a story of being scared by the people around us:
“…The time has come when you must trace the scars
Which cross your body like patches of sewn leather
Once your flesh, now just a metaphor for spirit
You’re only a cracked canvas for the sketches
Of hands around you, a scroll for the religious
A parchment where cartographers chart their maps…”
Annette Hunter’s poem, Into the Night, depicts finding strength in the face of adversity through the power of love in those around us.
“…Though when there seems to be no hope left
When destitution and failure belong to every day
It is the ones who truly hold our hearts
That with no reflection and no trepidation
They throw themselves around us
They protect us with their cloak of love
As a shield to a warrior…”
I was genuinely moved by the imagery in Goodbye Yellow Sky by Daniel Wilkens –
“…Past screamers and barkers, grabbing for the money
Selling penny perversions
Peek into dancing fan box fantasy
Lurid lechers, leering wretches
Hands out, reaching, clutching
Resolutely shrug them off…”
Nozuku Mtshali’s poem Superficial, is one of my favorites. It paints a vivid scene of a married couple, who are doing all the things society depicted for them, but their lives are not genuine and because of this, the couple is rotting inside.
“…Together they produce unhappy clones
For that perfect family portrait…”
“…She attends tea parties
Passing around shallow compliments
And returns fake smiles
In-between mouthfuls of revolting
Imported tea.”
S. Miller’s poem Ravaged is simply stunning with tense emotion and clarity. And finally, the one poem that is untitled is made even more stunning without a name… this poem by Chris-Fick van Niekerk provides an inside view of how Aids affects young people.
I am truly impressed with the quality of work presented in Whispering Hope – An Anthology of Verse. The poets should be very proud of their work, as it is some of the best poetry I have read in several years.
Whispering Hope - An Anthology of Verse - Book Review
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