The sessions are to celebrate the beauty and healing properties of nature in poetry –which weaves images, thoughts and emotions in a rich imaginative tapestry.
“I don’t understand or like poetry.” Our poetry sessions on the Koppies do not aim to teach you about the structure, metre, kinds of poetry, etc., Wendy Carstens explains. Just listen to the magic of the images.
Rabbie Serumula has a weekly spot, Poetic Licence, in the Saturday Star. One of his sensitive posts about his Granny really touched me. I wrote to him to compliment him. This led to a visit to the Koppies and a shared love of nature. Subsequently it led to a discussion about poetry sessions on the Koppies where Rabbie and other poets could share their thoughts about the healing benefits of nature at Melville Koppies – where politics and religion are excluded. We decided to have these sessions on the second Sunday of every month. People could come just for the sessions, or enjoy a hike and then afterwards relax at the shady open air Lecture Hut for a session.
The first poetry session was on Sunday 14th January 2024. Rabbie read some of his poems. The listeners were entranced. Interactive discussion followed and listeners shared some of their delight, for example, in the magic of clouds, a topic of one of the poems.
Rabbie also read some poems of local poets. One of the poems was by Sarah Godsell, who also attended the session. Sarah’s love of the Koppies began when she was little. Her grandfather, Richard Hall, used to bring her and her sisters on regular walks at the Koppies. Richard was my conservation mentor when I first started at the Koppies. His wide knowledge and love of nature was an inspiration to me.
At the end of the session, one visitor remarked, “Bud, I could listen to you all day!”. Another visitor said it was a cathartic experience for her.
We’d love you to join us for the next session. It will be on the 10th March from 10am to 11am. Allow 15 minutes to walk up to the Lecture Hut from the entrance in Judith Road.
Safe parking opposite the entrance at Marks Park in Judith Road. R90pp and R50 per child under 18. All funds are used for the maintenance of the Koppies. R500pp for a season ticket for a year’s visits.
Hike on your own, join the 8km group hike on the last Sunday of every month, walk, bird watch, photograph, join a guided tour or just chill out at Melville Koppies every Sunday between 8am and 11.30am. Security is provided as a precaution.
For more information visit www.mk.org.za or call 079 532 0083
TEXT: Wendy Carstens
