Delightful Pain [new Version Of Previous] Poem by Margaret Alice Second

Back at work after Easter break
Thokozile sighs, not ready yet and
I laugh, glad to be back, searching for
Information and enjoying my lovely
snow queen work station

I explain my theory of the privilege we
have to complain while we’re sure of a
job never having to wake up in the pain
of unemployment or feeling hungry unless
we’re dieting of course – a self-inflicted
suffering making us virtuous paragons
of sacrifice for comely appearance

I tell her we even have all the security guards
to talk to when we’re lonely, that we ENJOY
complaining about imaginary deprivation -
we cheerfully accept the responsibility for
enunciating about so-called difficulties
and she agrees, it IS fun to be here

Dr Joyce and Winston both admonish me to
publish one day, but I explain a publisher must
make a profit to make it a viable proposition – they
don’t understand because all their writings in an
African language are published immediately as
part a project to promote these, I smile, for

Me - writing is about freedom of expression and
leaving a legacy, hoping someday people might
read about the Department of Arts and Culture
where we forged a new way of life and sought
the way forward in post-apartheid South Africa

I send information about the new Dutch singing
sensation to all my colleagues and enjoy their
surprise when learning this little girl with South
African roots sings like Maria Callas –

What a wonderful day - to be alive in the office
to enjoy some more delightful pain…

[Tuesday 22 April 2014]