Poem for ASIS&T 2023 Annual Meeting
kuziva mbuya huudzwa (learning comes through listening)
by tawona ganyamatopé sitholé, for librarians and caretakers of knowledge stories everywhere
i woke up and tickled a lion
amuna wé
life is determined
in the body of knowledge
where were you when we were in awe
theatre thrives on artistic licence
and accustomed silence
those that are allowed are aloud
as they cast spells
the enchanted keep succumbing
to the s.p.e.l.l.s s.p.e.l.l.s s.p.e.l.l.s
the enchanted keep succumbing
to the feeling of kneeling
at the altercation of stories
panotsva demo mupinyi uchisara
wordplay like swordplay
firebreathers and swashbucklers
frostbiters and mass smugglers
close call and far-fetched
at the altercation of stories
author's pen and artist’s pencil
prised by avid antagonists
strapped on as makeshift stilts
to teeter teeter teeter and tower
in desperation for elevation
at the altercation of stories
author's pen and artist’s pencil
prised by avid antagonists
scratched on as ambitious drawwings
to flap flap flap and fly
in desperation for elevation
panotsva demo mupinyi uchisara
i spent the day nudging wasps
amuna wé
life is determined
in the body of knowledge
where were you when we were in awe
theatre thrives on pure dramatics
and sound acoustics
those that are sound are the raconteur
as they entrance
the enchanted fulfil the entrance
to the moving vividworld
of their own picturing
volume velocity variety
volume velocity variety
line up and move in’formation
hakudanwi anonzwa
its a wobbly entrance i mean entrance
but before you know it
hapless hopeful meets helpful guide
but the wisdom entered
has not been recognised
but before you know it
it’s the book of ancient spells
but comes unstuck on g.l.u.e.
trundles on insufficient data bundles
but before you know it
love sings and war cries
elation
elevation to the sky
to return to the main menu
press star
hakudanwi anonzwa
i rose up and hugged an eagle
amuna wé
life is determined
in the body of knowledge
where were you when we were in awe
theatre thrives onstage
and backstage
those that make it make it possible
as they do the rigging
the enchanted cannot help it
spontaneity of the jigging
shelving inhibition
delving into exhibition
chains change and unsettled objects
simbai tizwe vabati vebasa
what would the whoosh of the magic express
be without a conductor
maintaining poise in the swervy sway
of pondering pasts and figuring futures
crossing with you with nothing to declare
so it’s only fair to pay your fare
what would the whoosh of a classic concert
be without a conductor
to disambiguate the timbres
from sensational tones of those who purvey
to unemotional tones of the ordinance survey
what would the whoosh of electricity be
without a conductor
response ability elasticity
whatever the current eccentricity
life is determined in the body of knowledge
where were you when we were in awe
of the reassuring frown of
detective without crime
strict without sting
grace without fatigue
apothecary minds sanctuary
lending attending tending
to be kind just kind
lending attending tending
to be lifelines
simbai tizwe vabati vebasa
i got down and pinched a shark
amuna wé
life is determined
in the body of knowledge
where were you when we were in awe
theatre thrives on weighted blankets
and suspended beliefs
those who are weighted are waited on
as they try to order
seeings beings believings
the enchanted view open lexicon
but if the definition is de’meaning
the early bird catches the bookworm
kuziva mbuya huudzwa
between the home and the field
a road is built a path is ground
dust rises to the rhythm of eardrums
free spirit is not a description
but earnest protest
free spirit
overdue return remains outstanding
as cave wall is to touchscreen
the earliest library was a librarian
the oldest archive still survives
pasichigaré our living nature
everything known is borrowed
everything owned is given
life is determined
in the body of knowledge
where were we when we were in awe
kuziva mbuya huudzwa
glossary
amuna wé – my dear family
panotsva demo mupinyi uchisara – proverb saying unbelievable things will happen
hakudanwi anonzwa – proverb saying exciting things happen for all to see
simbai tizwe vabati vebasa – stay steady, bearers of the work
pasichigaré – the ancient approach to life where all nature is a family