This book was published by Thuthukani Ndlovu and www.radioactivetuts.blogspot.com
No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic, photographic or mechanical means, which includes photocopying and recording on tape/ laser disk, on microfilm, via the internet, by email, or by any other information storage and retrieval system, without prior written permission from the publisher. Copyright ŠHope begins with you anthology 2016
Contents Note from compiler Laughter of Hope : by Juliet ‘ Kego To hope, I belong : by Sandile Shongwe Brain Power : by Marion de Vos Hope : by Oluwatobiloba J. Agboola Yesterday : by Charlotte Addison The fighting ring : by Iyamu Noye Aisha Rise : by LaFaye Munetsi Have Only Positive Expectations : by Thuthukani Ndlovu Hope : by Mbongeni Khumalo Watch me rise : by Notsile N. Nkambule Shades of hope : by Oshamebinum Hope : by Orobosa Contributors This book was endorsed by Thank you
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Note from the compiler Greetings, Welcome to the 9th book for the year, and thank you for taking time to download and open it. This time around, we decided to dedicate the book to “Breast cancer awareness month”, therefore we wanted to create a platform that specifically speaks about Hope – Having Only Positive Expectations; a theme normally associated with this awareness. We are really excited to inform you that one of the anthologies we published earlier this year – “The Women” – recently reached over 1000 downloads. This is one of our greatest achievements, and we would like to thank all the poets and readers for their continued support. We really hope that this anthology achieves the similar success. This book that you have opened is basically a source of hope, well crafted by poets from different walks of life. It’s important for one to keep hope alive, even in times of pain and struggle, and with that being said, I hope you enjoy reading the amazing poetry that the following poets have to offer.
Thuthukani Ndlovu (Editor and compiler)
Laughter of Hope Ha One day I shall write your laughter into words capture how your larynx opens like an unfolding petal to my sun how your throat swallows my air as it convulses in mirth, and on your cheeks unformed dipped-in dimples struggle not to rupture and hot air whooshes out, condensing into droplets washing my body-soul-spirit in vibrating showers of rains and I become Earth’s wet centre; a pulsating core of the universe Haha one day I shall write your laughter into songs and share how the sounds please my awakened ears buds the hair at my nape tingle to the breath of your tongue and my feet itch to break out‌
in an ancient, sensual dance and how I feel the world is giving me a thunderous hug and applause ‘tis like I win a precious prize, every single time you laugh and in your timbre, are hidden notes to remind me, I am yours Hahaha One day I shall write your laughter into poems each line depicting the melodious ringing, rumble in my chest the synchronized undulating of my under-belly and heartbeats the layers and verses peeled with each rhythmic rhyme of life your laughter lifts and shifts clouds and soars like a phoenix ascending to the vibration of all that was, is and will be, eternal Hahahaha One day, I shall write your laughter into chants and it will flow like warm rivers, the waters like a rippling litany of psalms‌
I shall sit around the banks with mortals and angels, to attest to the rapturous bells and wind chimes of waves of praise you evoke singing worship songs, the springs of lyrics flowing, sighing and saying you are mine a miracle I was unaware of, and silently prayed to the heavens for Someday, I shall write about the four stages through which he possessed me, and tried to separate me from you, beloved he ravaged my body, left me drained how he sickled my cells with his stains I refused to give into his reign of pain today I shall write about him with laughter how I danced on the edges of his gift of death and came back to your arms from the hereafter one day, beloved, I shall write about beating cancer how your love was my prayer and answer today, I shall write about you… ©Juliet ‘ Kego
To hope, I belong Spent a fortnight searching around for hope to reside abound me, as I continuously, in brief, cried to the heavens for it with no pride, And to no disguise, I found peace as this, to me, meant an increase from Christ, “For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain.”
And now, no pain has since surfaced for to hope, I belong also, to me, was hope purchased by His blood in Calvary - as now, I am strong. © Sand.ile [Sandile Shongwe]
Brain Power Tele -thermo power burning a way to send in the neuron army for the destruction of the invasive stone shining like a mean edged diamond. An Atomium anchored by prolific vessels will need Sisyphus labor to be eradicated. Metamorphosing, on approach, it turns into a tentacle swaying Hydra trying to dump metastatic soldiers to further its perfidy purpose‌
The brain-army cuts and hacks away at the threatening arms, and wraps green garland of life-saving energy around the beast to sever it from its pedestal where it lies waiting, suffocated and starved, to be removed by the healing brigade. Š Marion deVos
Hope She woke up to the joy of a beautiful day, and embraced the freshness of the morning. She made her way out to work; and her day went on smoothly; until she visited her friend, a doctor. She was beaming with smiles and was calm; even as she joyfully got her mammary glands checked, but her wall of peace was wrecked, as the test result filtered through her ears. Her head was continuously ringing confusion's bell, as she found her way to the ground. She lost herself right at that moment; but was saved by words laced on hope's lips. She accepted the duel the cancerous cells ushered, and fought till victory was received. She replayed the words of her friend, "Don't give up the fight for survival, and hold on to the hope of a healthy future" Š Oluwatobiloba J. Agboola
Yesterday Yesterday, I was a baby crawling on Mama’s spick and span kitchen floor Sucking on my thumb without a Papa. Yesterday, Mama packed her bags and walked out the door never to make a return. Yesterday, Grandma worked her bony fingers to hand piece quilts for sales to give me an education. Yesterday, I watched through the cracked windows to see the Christmas fever light up the sky. I heard the laughter and smelled the delicious aroma of chicken soups and stews from the neighbours‌.
Yesterday, I blossomed and I keep blossoming till I wrinkle at old age Yesterday, I broke up with Dudu.I was devastated but ready to pick up the pieces Yesterday, Grandma said to me, “Jemiriye, you are worth what you see with the eyes of your heart. Tomorrow will be brighter That was yesterday, not today nor tomorrow but yesterday. ŠCharlotte Addison (www.rytersdiary.blogspot.com)
The Fighting Ring Say goodbye to your glands. Let your hair fall out. Let your body ache. And let your face get dark. But don’t let these break the walls of strength you create. Don’t let your last kiss to the world be short and harsh. For with lips like yours, slow, tender and long is deserving. ©Aa’ishah [Iyamu Noye Aisha]
Rise No matter the fall Pain and all Rise No amount of pain Should keep you to the floor Rise Every passing day is a struggle But no matter the fall No amount of pain Should keep you to the floor Rise The struggle is real No matter the wheel Fight tooth and nail To stay on trail No matter the fall Pain and all Rise‌.
Against the wall my back and all Struggling to survive Living hand to mouth Pain and all The struggle is real But no amount of pain Should keep you to the floor Rise Beyond the sun I see the light A future bright Where you've risen For the struggle was real Its fall Pain and all
No matter the wheel Fight tooth and nail The struggle was real Its pain and all Rise! Š LaFaye Munetsi, 2016
Having Only Positive Expectations Have you ever wondered how One could remain optimistic and never lose focus, Purposefully perceiving and speaking positivity, Even when hope seems hopeless? Well, It’s possible if we stand on the Word of God, Because His Word is solid ground, That enables us to resist being moved by negative winds, Because in Christ alone, our hope is found. We need to always look towards a positive outcome, No matter the situation, Therefore whenever we speak, our words will have HOPE; Having Only Positive Expectations. I know life has its challenges, and sometimes, They drown our minds like a flood, But we should still press on with hope and faith Just like the women who had the issue with her blood, For if she doubted and had lost hope, Her mind would’ve been her only limitation, So let your mind and spirit be filled with HOPE; Having Only Positive Expectations. © Thuthukani Ndlovu
Hope I opened a book and wrote Words that find it hard to crawl out my thought I could never believe what my soul Had to say because my flesh is weak When hope would come to see If I believed in me It would just be disappointed Without hope my life stopped in its motion I’m going to die So why not give up and lie In this bed till I loose my life And cry my eye balls out Because I didn’t choose this route So every time I can’t take it I shout God why did you give me this life But hope suggests a story About how God chose me Because I was stronger And it would kill me faster To find out this was happening To my sister Brother Father or mother…
So dear heavenly father I come to you today to tell you I can’t believe how much you’ve let me suffer I am your son But the sun shines for me no more So I hope I’m not wrong That this was your plan all along My will is as strong as a wall And where there is a will there is a way Holding on to my faith I might question God why? Not to understand but feel better With faith in hand I know my purpose is bigger Than my humanly understanding Just with all this hope I have It has become easy to understand That my days on earth Were never shortened Who am I to say this shouldn’t have happened?...
How do I know this? My days were never shortened Because my days were never numbered This was in Gods planning This is my life So I wake up every morning Enjoy my life despite my condition Without this life I wouldn’t be living. Š Dominus Litis [Mbongeni Khumalo]
Watch Me Rise I send kisses to heaven on a daily, Standing on this ground a pillar because the Lord has remembered me lately I have been through it and still wining through it for my baby. They will never say Mother was a coward, I will be what history books are written about, fight on to the finish line and still have the guts to say I am not done. The audacity to look a disease in the face and never crumble and die. The will to see another day and conquer it, The will to rise, The will to rise! I am on this life like white on rice, I am stubborn, resistance is I. All my days left I will live out every single one, I will exist in spaces where many said there is none I will embrace every second like gold, Because the gift of tribulation is finding out life is worth so much‌
So Don’t stand in corners weeping about what could have been and was, Watch me love, Watch me thrive And then hold me all night, Hold me until you and I become us, Watch me rise. Hope is in my blood, I bleed second chances, I bleed new days I bleed more life, Not remission but victory Just watch me rise. Š Brown Skin Nono [Notsile N. Nkambule]
Shades Of Hope She is the beautiful maiden That sparkles as bright as the star, And stands sweetly To embrace the broken At the end of the dark and dingy tunnel Her bold and beautiful face Is cupped by the ray Of the rising Sun After the darkest of nights She is ensconced in the withered leaves That turns green After the driest of droughts Announcing the arrival of new beginnings‌.
She is festooned In the jewelry of the Cross With arms spread wide Saying to all and sundry “Come and breathe in The healing breath of salvation That you may live again” © Oshamebinum
Hope The gentle breeze caressed her face, It filled her lungs, Blew against her bald head, Against her flat chest, She breathed in the gentle aroma of Hope. She had seen and heard enough, Enough of those who had hoped, Enough if those who fought and won, Enough of those who survived, Can she hope, fight and win?
It was time for her last battle, Her cage had to rattle, The deciding goal had to be hers, 99 to 1 she had to take the chance, She had to hope‌
As her chariot quickly wheeled her to the battle ground, The gentle breeze caressed her face , It filled her lungs, Blew against her bald head, Against her flat chest, she breathed in the gentle aroma of Hope. Hope she had! Š Orobosa
Contributors Full Name: Sandile Shongwe Stage Name: Sand.ile Nationality: South African Location: Pretoria (South Africa) Occupation: Student Link: www.msandishongwe.blogspot.com
Full Name: Marion de Vos Stage Name: Marion de Vos Nationality: Dutch Location: The Hague, (Netherlands) Occupation: Poet Link: LinkedIn [ Marion de Vos ]
Full Name: Orobosa Ikponmwen Stage Name: Queen Pen Nationality: Nigerian Location: Edo State (Nigeria) Occupation: Student Link: www.yarnam.blogspot.com
Full Name: Thuthukani Ndlovu Stage Name: Thuthukani Ndlovu Nationality: Zimbabwean Location: Bloemfontein (South Africa) Occupation: Student & Blogger Link: www.radioactiveblogspot.com
Full Name: Juliet ‘ Kego Ume-Onyindo Stage Name: Juliet ‘Kego Nationality: Nigerian-Canadian Location: Toronto (Canada) Occupation: Poet & Leadership Consultant Link: www.julietkego.com
Full Name: Charlotte Addison Stage Name: Charlotte Addison Nationality: Ghanaian Location: Accra, (Ghana) Occupation: CEO of Enlaza Global Limited Link: www.rytersdiary.blogspot.com
Full Name: Iyamu Noye Aisha. Stage Name: Aa'ishah Nationality:: Nigerian Location: Lagos (Nigeria) Occupation: Student Link: www.withthepenblog.wordpress.com
Full Name: Mbongeni Khumalo Stage Name: Dominus Litis Nationality: South Africa Location: Bloemfontein (South Africa) Occupation: Student Link: Facebook [Eve’s Apple Productions]
Full Name: Notsile Nelile Nkambule Stage Name: Brown skin nono Nationality: Swazi Location: Siphofaneni, (Swaziland) Occupation: Unemployed Graduate Link: www.twitter.com/Brownskinnono
Full Name: Oluwatobiloba J. Agboola Stage Name: Tibex Nationality: Nigerian Location: Ogun state, (Nigeria) Occupation: Student Link: www.agboolatibex.wordpress.com
Full Name: Ebinum Osham Precious Stage Name: Oshamebinum Nationality: Nigerian Location: Lagos, (Nigeria) Occupation: Blogger Link: oshamebinum.wordpress.com
Full Name: Fay S. Munetsi Stage Name: LaFaye Munetsi Nationality: Zimbabwean Location: Johannesburg (South Africa) Occupation: Student/ ESL Teacher Link: LinkedIn [ Fay Munetsi ]
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Thank you You’ve come to the end of the book, and I sincerely hope it was worth your time and worth the read. So, thank you for downloading the book and reading it, and feel free to share it with others. I would like to thank all the poets who contributed, because without their contribution, the book wouldn’t exist. I would also like to thank the organisations that endorsed this book too – it’s an honour to have such support. Your feedback on the book/any of the poems will be highly appreciated, so please send your comments to the following platforms: Radioactive Facebook page @2tukani on Twitter radioactivetuts@gmail.com www.radioactivetuts.blogspot.com If you are a poet and would like to feature in any of the upcoming anthologies, make sure you like the Radioactive Facebook page (link provided above) in order to keep updated with the call for submissions and deadlines. For more information about the other anthologies, you can visit/subscribe to the radioactive blog. #StayBlessed Kind Regards Thuthukani Ndlovu (Editor & Compiler)