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Whether it is "Redefining literary techniques and devices", "Justifying Papua New Guinea Literature", or "Translating the Bible into Anuki", these offer valuable reading for the paperless student of literature, and indeed the best sort of literary entertainment you can get out of Papua New Guinea. Check them out either on Soaba's Storyboard or The Anuki Country Press.

Tuesday 12 June 2012

JEFFREY FEBI'S POEM

                                                                      
Parting ways
(Adapted from Parting ways in an upheaval by Jeffrey Febi)

Firmly tucked into mamas’ arms
Gaze of infants into mamas’ eyes
Breathing mamas’ exhaustion

In the belly of an evil Queen
Pregnant in a time of turmoil
With deceit, money and negligence

Listening to mamas’ frantic heart beats
 Hearing mamas’ confused cries
Feeling mamas’ grips loosen

Three idiots they came! And many separated
Parting ways in an upheaval
Each one to own an unmarked watery plot

Yet still dawn undresses the dark
Oh those companions of birds!
Their backs to the scorching sun

When next a sea bird, gull or tern
Sings frantically over the sea; probably
To them that play on the ocean floor

 
Of this poem Jeffrey Febi said:

On the morning of 30th April, while watching dawn spread its beauty across the sky, I thought it would have been really wonderful to accompany it with the music of the birds and the cry of a baby or child waking up from sleep. Then I remembered those unfortunate families whose children have perished that tragic night aboard MV Rabaul Queen.

Words may not be adequate to express my anger and feeling of disappointment; nevertheless, I found some sort of comfort writing this piece.

Commentary

The Anuki Country Press found this poem so intriguing that we have decided to have it adapted here for the benefit of our readers. Note the deliberately blurred photo above to go along with the mood of the poem. The photo is in fact a shot of Mrs. Wendy Soaba and child Atticus, taken in 1986.

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