Muse

Self confessed ‘culture vulture’ Myesha Jenkins lives her days’ song with an unbelievable lightness of a woman settled in her ‘now’. She immaculately weaves her everyday into the arts, particularly spoken word. American by birth, the poet and human rights activist emigrated to South Africa in 1993 and “… started writing poetry … my mind was completely free,” she says.

In 2005 her expressions culminated into a poetry collection Breaking the Surface published by Timbila poetry project. She also appears in a number of anthologies such as Isis X and the recently published We are… poetry anthology through Penguin. When you listen to her on stage, it is like she has performed poetry all her life.

A founding member of the Feela Sistah! Spoken Word Collective, Myesha has performed to great acclaim at amongst others: the Grahamstown National Arts Festival, Mangaung Cultural Festival (Macufe) and Poetry Africa in Durban. She is part of a movement that has peeled, unwrapped and collected (among other twists) the art of spoken poetry, to such as extent that today poetry shows are booked out. Many young women have also sharpened their poetic skill in her footsteps. She fills in Muse @ BOOK SA on her ‘meantime’:

What are you currently reading?

A Mercy by Toni Morrison. Her writing is so dense and textured, I’m always provoked in some way. This novel is set during the very early days of slavery in the US, before it became thoroughly institutionalised. It challenges our static thinking about race relations.

What are you absolutely loving in the meantime?

While doing some creative writing workshops recently, I discovered that I like working with young people. So I’m having fun trying to fashion some basic poetry exercises that people can work with to get themselves writing and exploring their inner terrain. I always enjoy the (physical and spiritual) company of good friends, some jazz, theatre and dance…

What are you learning/changing within motherearth?

I’m learning to put myself out there more and to take more risks. I’m also learning to make clearer decisions – to act rather than just going along with my everyday routine. I am fascinated by how we humans can change and adapt to build and sustain a future – spiritually, materially, and in relationships.

Which South African poet do you recommend for Muse @ BOOK SA readers?

Ah, i can’t name just one, but i am thinking of a few, such as Gabeba Baderoon, Makhosazana Xaba, Phillippa Yaa DeVillers, and Michelle McGrane.

Two poems by Myesha Jenkins

Transformation

Who I was is not who I am

And who I am is not who I will be.

Some bits falling off

Other parts sprouting

Inside of this cocoon

I dream of flight.

© Myesha Jenkins

*

Malume

Old and ugly as you are
neck rolls and big tummy
hair growing out of your ears
you think that sweet young thing
should be yours tonight?
Grinning and talking loud
over your beer after beer after beer
sloppy and greasy with your crack showing.
What do you want with that child?
What does that child want with you?

Malume, you are more than that
you are more than that!

© Myesha Jenkins