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Poems of love, loss and longing.

The poems in this anthology illuminate the infinitesimal detail of intricate and true love. We find the unadulterated first kiss, first touch and first breaking of all things virginal. We see love's sweetness, its temper and the hurt it causes. There are some bursts of eroticism. Beautiful body-forms are draped on couches and beds or across wilderness settings. Wet and pulsing corporal landscapes serve as boudoirs. There is the occasional touch of humour with some make-believe and pretence too, in unexpected milieux.

Running through all the poems, like an underground river or an electric charge, is the longing that we all have to be held by another; the longing to find meaning in that other; and to give back meaning in return.

It is the yearning for the Beloved and it is always the Lover speaking.

Dedication:


Heart of Africa! is dedicated to Lieutenant Commander John Duppa-Miller G.C. (1903-1994) who confided in me his experiences of the Beloved, sharing the mystery and mysticism of his own life, and explaining the nature of love in its deepest most eloquent sense; and to Wazir and Zohra van Essen who affirmed all that he had told me.

Editions:


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English Paperback

ISBN 978-0-620-60850-3
320 pages
Published by African Sun Press

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Reviews:


“Heart of Africa! is an impressive and amazing anthology.”
~ Gorry Bowes-Taylor, Fine Music Radio
“These are arguably the most important anthologies of poetry to ever come out of South Africa.” Read the review.
~ John Cole-Morgan, TheSouthAfrican.com
“A wonderful collection!”
~ Nancy Richards, Literature SAFM 14 Feb 2016 Podcast
“This is a momentous collection!”
~ Jay Heale, Bookchat

Key Review Words:

Amazing. Important. Momentous