On Saturday, 10 May, the launch of a new epic poem saw many poets gather to celebrate the word. Instead of one person speaking, many did. Instead of long speeches, we heard numerous poets reading for ten minutes each. The event was hosted by the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum in Gqeberha.
Notes from the dream kingdom by KG Goddard is an epic poem about a wanderer named Musa. The name Musa comes from the Arabic word musafir, which means “traveller” or “wanderer”.
In some ways, part of the story could be seen to represent the wanderings of Kevin Goddard himself. Kevin and his wife spent years teaching in the Middle East. Yet, it is not. It is much more. This is very much a story of life in South Africa, too, with a rather sharp focus on the Eastern Cape. The past and the present come together.
It is protest poetry. Aids and sexual violence mix with stories of yonder.
Emma O’Brien, the director of the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Art Museum, welcomed us all.
Alan Korski Horwitz is from Botsotso, the publisher of Notes from the dream kingdom, and he set the scene by delivering a rousing poem about the social injustice in today’s world. Migrants and refugees are hot topics in the news today, as is the case in Goddard’s text.
Then numerous poets were invited to share their work.
Brian Walter is a poet in his own right, but he also helps with community projects like the Helenvale Poets and the Salt Lake Poets.
The Helenvale Poets
The Salt Lake Poets
Candi and Ray delivered musical interludes.
Kevin Goddard launched his book by reading from it – he took no more time than any of the other poets.
Deborah Seddon
Mxolisi Dolla Sapeta
Crystal Warren
Mxolisi Nyeswa
Anton Krueger
Exclusive Books sold books at the event. They go to great lengths to help local poets sell their work.