The sparkling poetry of Teboho Mohanoe

By O Bolaji

When we read something - be it a piece of prose or poetry, we often want it to interest us, to fascinate us, to come across as fresh, as the experts say. Normally the language used in poetry is supposed to be heightened hence those we refer to as "poets" often have impressive facility with words.

A poet like Job Mzamo (in Mangaung) is a sort of wordsmith, using language and imagery to fascinate us, knocking words into light, bouncy, lissome, even irreverent, burnished shapes; and creating poetry in the process. Teboho Mohanoe is on the way to becoming a sophisticated poet, and this short essay is about him.

My main concern here is his poem, "Mary" published in his book, Enter the Night (DRUFOMA 2001). It is one of his simpler poems, but one with a powerful message. The message comes across at the very end. In this poem the poet begins by telling us about how a particular lady is abused, is long suffering. Then the very end:

"And she was buried today"

This haunting ending is proof enough that the poet has succeeded admirably at putting across his message - and in a style which is simple enough. The freshness of the poem reaches an apogee by using this style.

In fact the way the poem is structured reminds me of a poem, "Just a passer by". By Oswald Mtshali. (Published in "A selection of African Poetry" edited by Senanu and Vincent) In this poem, the poet describes how a man was gruesomely killed, as if (the poet) does not really care. Then he goes home, and a woman neighbour says to him:

"Have you heard? They’ve killed your brother"

"O No! I heard nothing. I’ve been to Church"

The strength of the poem lies in the fact that the poet is ultimately being ironic and sarcastic; for he not only heard about the death; he witnessed it himself!

The first time I read Mohanoe’s poem, "Mary", I asked him whether he had read Mtshali’s poem (referred to above), and in his typical inscrutable, inconclusive manner, Mohanoe just smiled and nodded. Maybe he was impressed by the much earlier Mtshali poem hardly matters; as Mohanoe’s "Mary" is distinctive in its own right.

Lovers of poetry might also draw a parallel between Mohanoe’s poem, and Michael Echeruo’s "Threnody" (Also published in the book, "A Selection of African Poetry"). Here the poet light heartedly seems to be rejoicing with the world (nature); then suddenly:

"I caught my doveIn the heart of spring
And I was dead!"

This type of conclusion tends to jolt the reader’s attention, resulting in concentrated bafflement and interest. And such writing appeals to a large number of people.