and ...
When the Botanical Gardens introduces you to 'dunes'.
Friday, March 28, 2025
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Spaces and Places, 7
The artist, Keith, adding his final touches. He was happy for me to take the pic.
Promoting 'A Place to Night In'
I have been sharing information about my recently released poetry book, A Place to Night In, released by Botsotso Publishing.
The reading of the poems generally sparks discussion on issues of belonging and connectedness – pertinent matters in South Africa.
A Place to Night In has been presented online, on Off The Wall and Red Wheelbarrow Poetry platforms.
The pictures below depict instances where the book was presented:
Frank reading poems at a community event held at the Protea Community Hall. At this event, he made reference to A Place to Night In and where it was obtainable.
The author speaking at The Grail in March 2025. He was introduced by social change activist, researcher and writer Sahra Ryklief.
Frank signing a book for renowned author and well known former journalist Liz McGregor (February 2025).
And then again, others help by sharing their views on A Place to Night In.
The cultural commentator and former editor of Realtime and Baobab, Sandile Ngidi, has undertaking a close reading of the book.
Botsotso recently released Frank’s book, A Place to Night In, which focuses on issues of home and belonging. The book is available from Clarke's Books and Botsotso Publishing.
Wednesday, February 26, 2025
Short story: In Modest Spaces, Lalla Finds Herself Anew
My short stories are often set among ordinary folk. Ordinary people, like other people, have lives to lead, puzzles to sort out and things they yearn for.
Like other short stories, generally speaking, tales situated in humble settings require good characterisation and lead characters that embark on journeys that lead from where they are to discovery, to growth or restoration.
My latest short story, Lalla Saves the Day, is available here, on Spillwords: https://spillwords.com/lalla-saves-the-day/ . Check it out.
Friday, February 14, 2025
My Rainbow, a book of "textured and big hearted poetry": copies available
Of this book, Bheki Pieterson wrote:
"An astounding anthology with a poetic vision that is incisive, textured and big-hearted in its treatment of the intimacies and intricacies that link the past and the present, the personal and the political. The writing is taut and brimming with evocative cadences that recall rites and rights of passage that range from street corners, the whispers of yearning lovers to the bruised but resolute mantras that will activists to insist on a compassionate and equitable world. The poems, in reading, achieve a collective coherence and visceral power because of Meintjies’ mature perspective and his sensuous and lyrical writing."
"I read a poem by a South African poet Frank Meintjies yesterday that gave me a haunting sense of where many of those I taught on Wednesday were at. There were 13 folks listening intently as I shared the hope we have in Christ and how this transforms ones living. All of them HIV/AIDS clients at Masibumbane mission. They were all on my mind when I read this poem. I will just quote it in parts as I don't think it is legit to copy it all:
' on better days/my rainbow is your smile/more frequently, my rainbow bleeds..../my rainbow's sharp edges/cut/as i try to pick it up ... deep patterning/its marks/ on the palm of my heart/my rainbow is a purple bruise/ slowy/sluggishly regaining/the colour of living flesh'
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