By Tiisetso
Thiba
The
wordsmith Letlhogonolo Brendics Kesiilwe originates from Botswana, a country in Southern Africa, marked by its
currency the Botswana Pula, and its dominating language is Setswana, language of
Batswana people.
Kesiilwe’s
poetry anthology “Uncaged: Contemporary Poetry Collection” which was published
in 2016 continued to make waves. It is one of the works of the bard Kesiilwe,
which others comprise “The Flow of My Tears” that was published in 2015.
Why the title, Uncaged? Page 92 of the book answers this poser, with the title book poem placed herein. “My writer’s block is gone, writing came with pain, the very painful words are uncaged”. This phrase tells that, the poet was hindered from writing his thoughts, feelings and happiness and at last he got his groove back to release his inspirational words. Mr Kisiilwe dedicated this intriguing book to his daughter Masa Wendy Rodgers Kesiilwe and her adorable mother Rebo.
I think 65% of poems from the Uncaged is about love, where the poet took us through his love trials whilst he was still at school and post and I believe those who rejected him they are regretting now because he is no longer available for match! And at some point while in high school, he was scared to disclose his feelings to a drop dead gorgeous Sammy on a poem titled
My High School Crush
“She will forever be
my high school crush,
the beautiful lady
of great African body”
“I never told her i loved her
I will never know if she did
Sammy was a good girl
A girl to steal hearts”
Wordsmith Letlhogonolo in his book touches on religion, happiness, agony, sorrows, gratitude, encouragement, and of course love, as his pen flows freely non-stop when it comes to love. And he expresses his addiction to rhyming as plenty of his poems including stanzas, sonnets includes rhyming words and alliteration.
In one of his poems on pg 87 titled “Mixed”, the poet choose to come out with gun blazing for LGTBI “Lesbian, Gay, Transgender and Biosexual” people. Poem in last phrase says “How do you kiss, How do you sleep, How do you love, a person of your same gender”. Yes it’s his opinion and views but the words are sharper than a sable!
It is doleful that everyday people in this category, are being killed, rape, insulted and feel unsafe in their own communities and countries and some rejected by their families. This act alas is tearing societies apart.
Mr
Kesiilwe is surely a poet going places, never mind the intermittent
controversial sentiment. Uncaged is a
superb book written by fearless poet. Mr Kesiilwe’s is one of Botswana poet’s
that are aiming to grow the literature and inspire emerging poets.
