In 2004, when I was studying in Port Elizabeth, my English teacher (a very well meaning lady) convinced her entire class to submit poetry to this poetry competition that was being run by the main campus up the street.
To her pleasure, the first top three places where all awarded to her students.
This has led me to believe that the contest had either been rigged to cater for the wayward creatives of the art campus down the street or our English class was the only one that entered the competition.
First place was given (I have chosen my words with care) to this guy we called Satan. He was the stereotypical emo-indie-punkrock-fanatic that listened to angry-white-boy music as much as I was drinking coffee at the time – which was a lot at the time.
Second place was awarded to a close friend of mine, Thokozani Kana – the very same culprit who got me hooked on caffeine.
I, unfortunately, was the guy everyone expects to smile from ear to ear as if they won the contest, when in actual fact I had been relegated to third place.
I am not implying that there was foul play involved, nor am I saying that my poem deserved first place but I have never been one to accept defeat gracefully.
“Days into moments
To her pleasure, the first top three places where all awarded to her students.
This has led me to believe that the contest had either been rigged to cater for the wayward creatives of the art campus down the street or our English class was the only one that entered the competition.
First place was given (I have chosen my words with care) to this guy we called Satan. He was the stereotypical emo-indie-punkrock-fanatic that listened to angry-white-boy music as much as I was drinking coffee at the time – which was a lot at the time.
Second place was awarded to a close friend of mine, Thokozani Kana – the very same culprit who got me hooked on caffeine.
I, unfortunately, was the guy everyone expects to smile from ear to ear as if they won the contest, when in actual fact I had been relegated to third place.
I am not implying that there was foul play involved, nor am I saying that my poem deserved first place but I have never been one to accept defeat gracefully.
“Days into moments
Crumbled…
Devoured by rodents
As I fumbled
For an identity.
The realisation
- like a pin
Pricked upon my soul.
The doctor’s insinuation
(my life being limited)
And my heart, rots black as charcoal.
Seconds into a lifetime
Being stacked
Too high.
Smiles and cheers tied in twine
My body, my being detached
(I bet you’d want to cry).
Skipped three funerals
(all being mine own)
Fought for a life (already lost)
- just look how much I have grown.
Till today
Till today
None of my worries were solved.
And in a way,
My being (frail to mighty) has evolved.”
- © Evolved (life-altering) (2004)
- © Evolved (life-altering) (2004)
What bothered me most about the contest in the end, to be honest, was the prize money that you won; it was credited to your school fees balance.
Bloody Bastards!
What student do you know wants that?
I would have much rather preferred if they had given me the money to dispose of it as I wish. Alas, it seems, winners cannot be choosers, after all.
Namaste.
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