| | 2010
Our winner is In the shadows of your den by Dylan Kerr Balkind
 Theme for December 2009: 2010
2010 Ori Ben-zeev
Like the first fingers of dawn
the year rises with the sun.
Like the flutters of a sleeper’s eyelids
my heart awakens.
Before us is a new world
one sleep
one blink
one heartbeat away
and the full moon
like a traffic mirror
shows me your face
just around the bend.
--
Love’s fire gives warmth to two
But one, it burns right through.
The year 2010 By Tanya van Eyk
2010….the year I turn forty,
they say that is when life begins.
Will I appreciate and enjoy my wisdom
and put to bed all regrets and past sins?
2010…the year I will finish my novel,
I have heard that before, you say.
Will I be disciplined enough to write
and back up my work everyday?
2010…the year my mother retires,
and to Joburg she will return full time.
Will I have no more need for nannies,
as granny begins to brush up on her nursery rhymes?
2010…the year of soccer mania
and Vuvuzela sounds.
As I wear my Makaraba
will I watch the ‘boys’ beat the competition into the ground?
2010…the year begins again with resolutions,
which will soon fall by the wayside.
So when faced with the year’s unknown challenges,
will I falter or take them in my stride?
2010 By Natasha Williams
What’s in a number? A milestone; an age?
Or in six short months, the world on a stage
Emotions are stirred, sheer and absolute
All nations unite, our teams we salute
Each year is different and yet, still the same
South Africa right now, relies on next year’s game
The year to come is the star of the season
Anticipation encroaches providing no reason
The stadiums are ready, the songs on our tongues
Vuvuzelas lay lifeless until that day comes
Celebrate on the streets - both young and old!
Elation demonstrated, a marvel to behold
In less than a month it will finally be here
The mention of its name resounds in my ears
I bet if you listen you’ll understand what I say
If you really want to, you’ll feel the same way
And what will follow when it finally arrives
Is it predictable or perhaps, a surprise?
Come 2010, come. You hold so much promise
On your arrival we take great solace
No other year has ever been so demanding
Of attention and praise; and of eulogising
I hold my breath and patiently wait
For dawn on 1 January 2010 to break
In the shadows of your den by Dylan Kerr Balkind
Storms unleashed with an evil kiss,
in an eon of uncertainty while the darkness hissed.
It was certainly not great or even just a little bit sublime,
this was the mess that was 2009.
I grew and I fought but I didn’t necessarily have to like it,
I stared blankly back at faces who told me I would survive it.
I didn’t ask for a war with the Universe herself,
I wanted to walk through it coolly, without any strife.
But we don’t always get what we want and there’s no guarantee we ever will,
while we sit on the abysmal 2009 windowsill.
But hopefully only abysmal while you look back on the mess,
quite clear of murk and only gleaming optimism for the rest.
So, you ask for hardiness in your new army of men,
the army that will make up your empowered thoughts for 2010.
There will be no more flirting with the dark ego itself,
your humility will abandon your pride and put its arrogance on the shelf.
Look after yourself a little more in the months to come,
more about actual care and feelings – and less about the gun.
The gun you shot off too often and always far too loudly,
while you walked through 2009 misinformed and all proudly.
And no more trampling on your souls fragile boundary fence,
and no more daring evil kisses with uninformed confidence.
But be sure to lose nothing while you heal in the shadows of your den,
and be only a wiser and happier self as you face 2010.
A new day and a year that will be completely sunny and fine,
certainly more than great and so much more than sublime.
For 2009 is gone and I am ready to walk in –
into a happier and healthier space as I face 2010.
2010 by Lynn McKay
Is it a fallacy
Is it a dream
Is it a reality
With crowds making a scene
Bottles being flung
Songs being sung
Suitcases being opened
Muggers delight
Prostitutes by night
Stadiums without light
Teams ending up in a fight
Winners screaming with all their might
Onlookers in amazement
Trying to find their beds for the night
Blankets and duvets not in abundance
No one predicted such a cold night
Where is the heater, where is the lamp
Grab a beer, grab a whiskey, grab a dumpy
Friendly sunny people everywhere
Let’s be merry for tomorrow is
The best day yet
The finals have begun
Get a taxi, get a cab
Enjoy the people
Enjoy the flight
This country has everything
It is pure enchantment
Even by night
…..YOU WILL BE BACK AGAIN.
2010 by Margaret Kollmer
The World Cup is coming, hooray
Supporters will help win the day
Cos the Makgalomelas
With their bright vuvuzelas
Will blow all opponents away.
Ba-Dum Ba-Dum Ba-Dum by Lawrence Deale
The heart’s drum snare
Live the dream it is heard to dare.
A pulsating voice of expectation
Reverberating in a stadium of the mind
Through the prowess of 11, a people defined
A nation awaits the globe,
As a leopard named Zakumi stalks the African Savannah.
We remember Heaven and look to its manna.
Those once divided, are now united
in love of the beautiful game.
Worldwide, stereotypes fall to shame
Hand in hand, unified, conquering cultural fear,
we come together to celebrate as children.
In the face of economic gloom and drear
we present a fiesta in an emotional cauldron.
To witness the skill of feet against a sphere
Prize: A case of Leopard’s Leap Wines
Conditions:
1. Only 1 poem per month per subscriber is allowed.
2. The poem must not be longer than 30 lines.
3. The poem must be about the given topic / theme.
4. These rules are not negotiable.
5. The judges decision is final.
Closing date: 31 December 2009
Mail your poem to amanda@writerswrite.co.za
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