This Way I Salute You

by Keorapetse Kgositsile

These 37 poems have been compiled from five previous collections of Kgositsile's work, bringing together a rich sample of this prominent South African poet's work. Spending many of his formative years in the United States in exile from apartheid-era South Africa, Kgositsile developed a deep love for American culture—especially blues and jazz. Many of his "praise" poems reveal the poet's admiration for prominent American musicians like John Coltrane, B. B. King, and Cassandra Wilson. Writers such as Chinua Achebe, Gwendolyn Brooks, and Mazisi Kuene also receive their share of "praise."

Genres: Poetry

Paperback

First published September 1, 2007

About the author

Keorapetse William Kgositsile, also known as "Bra Willie", is a South African poet and political activist. An influential member of the African National Congress in the 1960s and 1970s, he was inaugurated as South Africa's National Poet Laureate in 2006. Kgositsile lived in exile in the United States from 1962 until 1975, the peak of his literary career. He made an extensive study of African-American literature and culture, becoming particularly interested in jazz. During the 1970s he was a central figure among African-American poets, encouraging interest in Africa as well as the practice of poetry as a performance art; he was well known for his readings in New York City jazz clubs. Keorapetse was one of the first to bridge the gap between African poetry and Black poetry in the United States.

Harlem-based early hip-hop group The Last Poets took their name from one of his pieces, and his son is the highly controversial rapper Earl Sweatshirt.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keorape...

Reviews

[Codi · Rating 3 out of 5]

FOR OUR MOTHER OF THE HEAVY NAMES (p. 52)

Tsamaya sentle - mama, walk good

Ipsuseng -
We must fulfil
the mission
your name commands

Galekgobe -
Life will not sap us
of our energies
for we shall create
and create

Arwa -
Valiant comrade of the Red Sea lands
did you not teach the English a lesson

Our mother of the heavy names
though this is your visit
you are not a gust here
neither of honour nor of any other
sentimental shaping or ordering
of this day or any other reality
we experience and know

Our mother of the heavy names
walk good
you are not the sole celebrant here
we claim your joy as ours
and though I know I cannot sing
nor play my voice like a horn
the way Lady Day always does
I celebrate all the arrivals
of peace
for the future
I see
dancing in your mischievous
eye and smile today

[Fela · Rating 5 out of 5]

a wonderful poetry collection.