Flowing Out [rev] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

With Hanlie I can talk and laugh, wonder at
Hermien’s celestial calm, learn from Annette,
create comic shows with Alet, admire Dea’s
attire and delight in Mimi’s high stiletto heels,
I can share my ideas with Thokozile, explain
my plans to Mapula - but I can’t reveal how
I feel when not happy; fury & tragedy aren’t

revealed with a stiff upper lip, imitating the
Queen of Hearts - surviving the destructive
voice of Conan, lovable Barbarian, my dad
and dealing with my Duchess-sis who might
blow pepper all over your face as soon as
she thinks her rights infringed; gazing at a
glamorous Cinderella grandmother whose

Mind and fingers were more nimble than
anybody’s yet never won much love in her
life; finding refuge in an eyrie of a Phoenix
flying so high I only see him from afar & I
was alone in Crocodile Castle: then came
the confident stride of an army of poets who
knew the way out, led by the Mystery Master

Composing cascading melodies with such a
hypnotic rhythm, it resounded in my heart
and taught expression is free; thus my dark
despair and red-hot fury are flowing out
leaving me a sweet inner sanctuary…