beautiful
the orange notes
of sun
rising
from the camel thorns,
warm shadows
of dawn; gemsbok hooves
on the shimmering drums
of dunes -
the Kalahari unfolds
her hand
in the sounds of colour:
orange-red, quivering blue
horizons, bushman
grass and cheetah,
a windblown finger
of land
oh, wild song of the wind,
sing me north
deeper
on the roar
of lions and sands
further
as the marabou’s black wings
to where the chorus line
of water kudu
and dream ships
of elephant and hippo
ripple the stillness
of a water
wilderness:
Chobe, O-
kavango
oh, ilizwe elihle
let my eyes inform
my soul
Siyabona Africa -
we see
Africa!
Author notes
An ode to the beauty of Africa, especially the Kalahari, the biggest continuous sand-area in the world. It spans nine countries from South Africa in the south to the equator in the north. On a piece of land, the shape of a finger, between South Africa, Namibia and Botswana is the Kalahari Gemsbok Park – known for its abundant wild life, red dunes and roaring sands. Unlike most other rivers that flow to the ocean, the Okavango river in Botswana flows into the warm Kalahari sands to form the water desert of the Okavango Delta. There you’ll find the Chobe & Moremi National Parks. Magical places – a beautiful world that you have to experience personally!!
“Siyabona” Africa is the Xhosa word for “we see” Africa and “ilizwe elihle” (pronounced elize-whe eleech-le) means “beautiful world”. This beautiful world is in my blood...
Written January 12th, 2005
In a list
What did you think
Comments
1 - 83 of 83
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Thank you so much, capricornpoet (I'm a capricorn too...). I appreciate your lovey comment and the applause!
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Thank you so much for the kind comment and glad you enjoyed this sand-safari!
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Thank you, Caliente for enjoying my word-picture of this beautiful "finger of sand"!!
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the Kalahari song
A mesmeric view of the Kalahari, wishing for its wildness and
its life as the cheetah in a running dream, and wild flights on
wings singing Africa ...A poetic song of magic ..loved this,
felt all its colorful imagery. -
extremely pretty weave of words made me sit and admire each weft and warp.Brought abundance of leisure in its wake.I define my Africa as something beyond the wraps of time and this was timeless.Congrats for the Gold.
Edited on Mar 23, 11:17 p.m. because ''. -
Thanks Esperanza - Africa is a beautiful place!! ~
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This sound so beautiful! I have never been anywhere like this, so I really enjoyed reading about it. You decribed everything so beautifully! You created some marvellous imagry...and your vocabulary is amazing! Great write! Good luck in the contest!
---Esperanza -
Thank you, bokkie
Yes, we are of course influenced by the landscapes and peoples around us - and those from afar too. Love and kisses 
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we in the "west" almost totally uninformed and worse perhaps even "ill-informed" as to the immensity and diversity of Africa. I beleive human culture ( like wind swept sand dunes ) takes much of its shape as a direct result of the landscape.
wonderful new background here !
love steve -
Sandi, thank you so much - it is wonderful to receive a comment like this one!! Best wishes from Africa ~
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Nicolette, I loved this the first time I read it and I love it all over again, such vivid imagery and mystic of a place brought into view. Consider this another applause, cause it won't let me do it again
Best of luck in the contest Blessings, Sandi
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Thanks, Russ for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the glimpse of Africa! ~
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Beautiful description you have hear flowing with the most vivid pictures the imagination can produce. I throughly enjoyed reading this poem letting your sotthing words clear my mind. Thanks,
God Bless,
Russ` -
Thank you, Ros - glad enjoyed this little piece of Africa1 ~
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The picture and the poem are excellent.I could actually feel the warmth of the sun, well done , Ros
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I've never been to Africa, but I have many African schoolmates. I must say that your poem helped me feel a bit closer to them, understanding where they're from and the culture definitely makes things better. Keep up the good work
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Thank you, Lana for your very kind comment. Yes, we live in a beautiful part of the world!! Good luck on the judging and take care `
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Since I've already commented on this, and since your cheering section has validated it anyway, I'll just say that I am still looking for poems against genocide for Voices For Africa.
www.voicesforafrica.homestead.com/index.html
nobody deserves to be wantonly murdered.
If you would like to help out, you can im me here or e-mail me at webmaker02@gmail.com .
Great write, anyway. -
I have commented on this before, how could I forget. I love this write! I love Africa..I love South Africa. For a moment there I got lost in this poems beauty, just like I get lost in the beauty of our wonderful country. Stunning, amazing, breathtaking. Thank you for following the rules. Thanks for entering and best of luck in my contest!
~Lana
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Thank you, Patricia for your kind words - to me the desert has quite a romance about it! Take care ~
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Thank you, for your kind comment. It is a wonderful picture, isn't it - unfortunately I did not take it! Best wishes to you ~
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A very vivid, lovely piece, descibing the picture beautifully. You have given a peek into quite a romantic life, and it makes the reader wish he were there.
Thank you for entering and good luck in the contest. Hugs, Patricia -
The picture is wonderful, did you take it? If you did, or know the person that did, that person took a wonderful shot.
The poem is great too. It's very descriptive. Between the poem and picture, it makes me sort of feel like I'm there. Good job and good luck in the contest. Thanks for entering. -
I think this is probably the closest I will ever get to Africa - isn't that sad? I think it's absolutly beautiful that you took the time to write such a gorgeous poem about your country..you used such vivid imagery, I liked it. Thanks for entering my contest and good luck!
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Thank you...for being speechless!
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Wow...speechless.
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Thank you, Pozo - Africa is a wonderful & vibrant place! Take care ~
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Wow, this is a beautiful write which I liked a lot So wonderfully written, a call to the place- thanks for entering
All the best,
Pozo
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Thank you, fallen-angel-fern (lovely author's name..), for you rkind comment. Be well ~
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this was so beautiful africa is an amazing continent! well done xxxxxxxxxx
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Thank you, for your kind comment. Glad you enjoyed the African safari!!
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I especially loved this poem for it's beautiful imageries and clever metaphors...my personal fav
Congratulations on winning the silver trophy!
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Sandi, thank you very much. You have a lovely dream - hope it comes true for you! Be well ~
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Magnificent write!! Thank you for the tour of which I so want to take for real one day, you've brought it so clearly in my mind
CONGRATULATIONS on the SILVER!! It was very much deserved!
and many blessings, Sandi
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Thank you, Tumbleweed, for your lovely comment. I only tried to paint Africa's beauty...take care!
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Absolutely lovely, you've painted a clear and beautiful picture with your words. A wonderful use of the language, and the few foreign phrases near the end only add to the beauty. Great job and good luck.
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that wa sreally good
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Thank you, Saknika for your very kind comment - take care ~
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This falls into my "short but sweet" catagory. it is just so beautiful in so few lines. I really loved it. And your choice of location, very unique. The background chosen only emphasizes it more. Great job. Good luck and thanks for entering.
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I was glued to every word in this piece. it was a fantastic painting of one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world. i just finished the book "Nisa" (if you haven't read it, you should I guarentee you would like it) and this poem paints what the book describes. it is about a kung San bushwoman in the kalahari. the vivid description you use gives this poem life and majesty. this was a truely beautiful piece.
Much love,
Matt -
i, indeed, see a boner
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Truly beautiful and a pleasure to read. I live in a small Midwestern-U.S. college town and have almost no exposure to the realities of the rest of the world, but this poem brought Africa to me. Thank you for entering!
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Thank you for your kind compliment and the applause. Yes, I think I might have to change the word "sand", but on the other hand, the Kalahari is all about orange, roaring sand and on a map it looks like a sandy finger. But thank you - I'll see what I can do about that. Interesting the reference to haiku
Edited on Feb 23, 2:53 p.m. because ''. -
This poem echoes of haiku, though obviously it isnt, yet something about the language comes out that way. The imagery is beautiful, as is the use of language, my only complaint being the repetition of the word "sand" within five lines of each other in the middle, I may consider changing it.
thanks for entering! -
excellent
This is stunning indeed. I'm in awe. You have created a masterpiece.
Jim Dunlap -
wow so pretty i want to go there. its been decided, its my next vacation! beautiful job on this with the colors and the animals.
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that was a very lovely poem. so much imagery and emotion. beautiful, really beautiful. i really enjoyed reading it a lot. thank you for entering it. good luck
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It is difficult for me to envision Mother Africa, though she is in my veins. I am so far removed from my native country that I know next to nothing about the magical natural wonders that exist there, or the multitude of peoples (except the ones you hear of often or see on television sometimes). You gave me a connection to this land, whether at desert or river. Truly, through your words, this expansive continent is beautiful.
Not only are you speaking with your eyes, but also speaking with your heart and soul in description, and this is evident to me. As one who has yet to see the place of which you speak, you have filled me with an overflowing spring of images. I will hope to one day discover as you have. For now, I will simply be content with your voice. This is lovely, indeed!
Many blessings,
Raven Aurora
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Wow, i truly love this poem. I can almost feel the heat from africa. It comes together well and sounds so beatiful, i love the awesome imagery. I can see that this poem came frome your heart. most people see things with their eyes. But you and me are both alike, we look with our hearts. I love looking out my backyard and seeing the lake froze over with the beautiful colors of the sunset filling my heart with hope. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. God Bles, Love, angel
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I hope you don't mind that I printed off a copy of this and pinned it up on my wall, which is kind of a shrine to all things African. Really, really liked it... You deserved that trophy so much more than i did.
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Very Good
Oh I love hippopotamuses and elephants. The earth tones of you background work well to transport reader into Africa without need of a plane or boat for we can travel on your words. -
YOu have translated the colors of your world into words I can see. Exquisite! I wish I could see such beauty.
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Thank you for letting your words inform my soul.What a beautiful,lyrical picture you paint of a land I've only seen on tv.I cant imagine a better,more informed entry for this contest.You own this one,Rob
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You actually live somewhere this beautiful?? Maybe that is why you have such pretty floating around that head of yours
There is so much going on in this poem that I can not possibly cover everything I adored about it. The imagery was so majestic that I almost feel as if I am looking at a painting. I think your mingling of languages was my favorite part about this. You wove the other in so seamlessly it felt like it all belonged together. I have no idea how to even pronounce those words, but in my head, they sounded like a chant of sorts. Beautiful.
I can not even point out your most brilliant and original lines because they all are and I would look foolish to try
This is truly a notch above gorgeous Nicolette. You have this contest in the bag indeed
~~Dawn
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I am stunned into silence sweetie! This is awesome! Your words have painted such beautiful images for my mind, I think I'm blinded now by the exquisiteness. Good luck in the contest my lovely sister wench.
~Kimberly
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Absolutely stunning. This was a good example of how to write about a moment or a place and truly capture the feelings that go along with that. Often, people lose the emotions in place of fancy words. I'm guilty of it myself. But this is perfect just the way it is. You've found an even medium and created a masterpiece.
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a jewel
Amazing writing here. Your imagery and metaphors are stunning and lucid, takes me there in my imagination. Your author's comments were most informative. So refreshing to read something like this for a part of the world where we are accustomed to hearing about yet another catastrophe. A gentle reminder that among all the chaos that swirls about us, it's still a beautiful world. -
Ooo I love the Kalahari! This is such a nice poem..Makes me feel proud about living in South Africa
The title caught my attention. I love this. It's beautiful just like our country
Good luck in the contest
~Lana
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Oh, that ws nice
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now you make me long to visit your home
Tamara
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OH OH I get to see all that in 2 weeks Nicolette yet another breath taking write. You are the queen of imagery!!!
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panoramic
breathtaking image...panoramic in the mind...this is like a song...the words sings the beauty of your images...
Anna Lee -
Stunning!
ohh wow this poem gave me goose bumps from the stunning imagry you coveyed here. I will say this a hundred more times if need be but your writting is exquisite and you never fail to amaze me with the beauty that comes pouring out of your heart and soul.
love and hugs
~Lena
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Wonderful!!!
Wonderful Nicol, You bring the beauty of Africa to our eyes as we read your eloquent imagery and expression. the wilderness of Africa always reminds one of the natures beauty and the wild life roaming scot free.
Love from India - Joel - -
Beyond words
This is breathtaking stuff and takes me to a place I love. Nicci you are so talented I do not understand why I have not seen a book of poetry of yours on the shelf? The description and emotion you poured into this took my breath away. -
Like Mada , I was immediately transported to magical places I knew and loved. I experienced a slight tinge of heartache after reading this Nicolette knowing I walked away from it all. Still - memories remain - quiet nights,gorgeous sunsets,unbelievable scenery.I don't think much has ever come close to 5am in complete silence in the Eastern Transvaal - watching members of the big 5 make their way to water.
Stunning write.Beautifully descriptive.Left me with a smile.
~ Sonia ~ XXX -
I have never been to the kalahari, but thankyou for taking me there. This reminds me of my childhood on my uncles farm. Really beautiful THANKYOU!!
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what wonderfully warm imagery
smooth and svelte with great flow and rhythm
ilizwe elihle indeed
elaine
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A very imaginitive poem, full of African beauty and imagery. The formatting helped it flow well, I was almost feeling the warm breeze weaving in and out of the dry-skin drum beats.
Anyways, I was totally caught up in the moment of reading it until the "quivering" line. The spacing in the word was unnecessary; poetry is all about each word having particular meaning and color, you don't need to throw it in our face and shout "HERE IS SOMETHING YOU SHOULD READ!"
But, other than that word and the other that averted my focus, I loved it
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wow i loved it very nice keep writing
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It is my dream to one day visit Africa. I truly want to go ther and I want to have a guide so I can go into the deep, unpopulated areas among the wild things. Call me crazy but that is my dream...and you just made me want it that much more. How beautiful.
~Lyrical
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the Kalahari unfolds
her hand
in the sounds of colour:
orange-red, q u i v e r i n g blue
horizons, bushman
grass and cheetah,
a windblown finger
of sand
Such a dreamy vision you paint for us with your words. You are truly gifted with the blessings you creatively express for us to read & experience with your work! -
Oh, how this makes me miss the days and nights I spent in South Africa. I can't say that I have any memory of the Kalahari, but the beautiful descriptive images of the natural beauty that you put into this piece bring me right back to sunset in the middle of Kruger Park. It's something that will stay with us always, no matter how far we may stray from the place.
As a wise friend once told me, there's no such thing as leaving Africa. No matter how hard we may try, it seems we're always turning back whenever times get hard. Somehow, once you've seen it, it becomes a part of you.
Beautifully expressed. I will most definitely be bookmarking this.
Mada -
Wow, what absolutely beatufiul imagery you painted. You made it all come alive with flawless use of personification and metaphor. "On the shimmering drums/of dunes" and "and the dream ships of elephant and hippo" were just absolutely brilliant.
I suggest one minor thing, though. I think it's great that you included the translation of the phrase "ilizwe elihle" in the poem, but you also mentioned it in your author's comments. I think it reads a lot better with the translation excluded, and for people like me who don't know Xhosa, it adds a bit of mystery, magesty and intrigue. Fantastic job, overall, though! -
Beautiful
Such a beautiful glimpse of this wonderful country. Palates of colour rose to the occasion and flooded the written words with life.....Excellent
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Takes me back to the Kalahari how many times I driven across it have you ever seen it after the rain, it's a carpet of brilliant colour the desert comes as it was to life, well done good luck in the competition.good read it took me back there
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....woordenloos...
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this is a beautiful piece... you can tell that this place is very dear to you and that it is somewhere you treasure. thank you so much for sharing a piece of your soul. much love to you.
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Oh, Nicolette! This piece gave me chills from start, to finish! There is so much beautiful imagery here; even without being able to see and experience it for myself, I feel that I've traveled the length of the Kalahari, just from your description of this gorgeous write! (And as a side note; is it just me, or is the very word "Kalahari" a beautiful, and poetic word? I've never heard the name before, but it certainly conjurs up some romantic images!) With this piece alone, you've given me a desire to see Africa before I die! "Beautiful" doesn't do this work justice! BRAVO!
Paula -
Magnificant Beauty!
Nicolette....what can I say
speechless I am, what amazing beauty there are so many beautiful descriptions in this exquisite write, I don't know where to begin! What incrediable beauty you have in Africa, The Okavango Delta sounds just breathtaking as this write. My eyes are wide with these visions of beauty...I think you can tell I am in absolute awe! Nic, you have shown me through your writing one has not lived unless they have seen your lovely country....Nick and I have to plan a trip to this wondrous country. Magnificant in everyway! Don't need to wish you luck on this one, you have painted heaven's glorious beauty! Thank YOU for sharing your beautiful country. Love ya sis, Ann
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MAGNIFICENT!
Woah! You have blown me away with this one, Nicolette!
Absolutely magnificent all-sensory experience in this gorgeous
poem. With lines like,
"sounds of colour:
orange-red, q u i v e r i n g blue"
Simply exquisite!
~ Gennelle
P.S. Ahem..why don't I just congratulate you now
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a wonderful poetic safarri for those of us who have never been there ... the deepest, most ancient and wildest place in the world ... such a magnificent place with so much diversity and contrast. everything is so overwhelming large there it seems.
I enjoyed this and welcome the incorporation of indigenous language as well.
i love you Nicolette
steve
Edited on Jan 12, 11:35 because ''.
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