Poem -- I NEVER EVER COMPLAIN

 I NEVER EVER COMPLAIN

I wake up in the morning, it's dark and miserable outside
Where are my glasses, last night they were this side,
I'll swear by all that's Holy it's where I left them last night.
Well said my husband I can see them, clear and bright,
They're sitting on your forehead, where they have been all night.

I can't find my hearing aid or my dental plates
What's has happened to my slippers I'm going to be late.
Please help me find my appointment book and tell me the date
I think Id better stay in bed, I'm getting in a state.

Ma, shouts my eldest son, there a man on the phone, for you.
Please take a message, I'm never going to get through.
I still have to have my shower, Ill bet the water won't be hot,
The window is wide open, the floor is soapy wet.
I'll settle for the flu, or do you guys want me dead.

I don't know why I can't find my keys, where can they be
I'm going into Town, I need my ID, Oy Vay I need my purse.
Every second I'm around here matters, seem to get worse..
Your keys are on the sideboard, they all  shout at me.
You don't have to worry, your appointment's for three.

I relax and ponder, why they all ganged up against me.
They complain they at I never put things, where they ought to be,
And they complain that they always have to look,
From morning till night the missing Newspapers, Lipsticks, or Book
The diatribe is giving me lots and lots of pain.
They don't seem to understand that I never complain.




by Hillie Feldman.   7th January 2003

Poem - The Dancing Kite

 The Dancing Kite
                              for Barry 

They made a kite 
that really flew.
Eyes fill with
Sheer delight.

In all my days 
I never knew
So wondrous 
Happy a sight

With dowel sticks , string 
And paper bright
Much chatter in between.

With balance string 
and pretty tail 
They launched this flying thing.

For many an hour 
that summers day
Way high up in the sky

That kite did dance 
a merry dance.
Weaving happily at its play.

Somewhere up there  
it's flying still 
Among the satellites.

A merry thing 
A wondrous thing 
My sonny's dancing kite.


by Hillie Feldman, undated written on Kibbutz Yizreel

Poem - EGOLI JUGGERNAUTS

EGOLI JUGGERNAUTS

Egoli buses -- Juggernauts of the tarmac
Scattering small fry far and wide
Speeding bus loads of black-
commuters - from city to country side.

Filled to the doorways, strap hanging passengers
Headed for Alex; northwards they ride
Work-weary, exhausted some of them snoozing
A frozen conglomerate thawing inside.

Smoke trails fogging following wagons
Cars and bikes rush, left and right
Grinding through traffic, snorting dragons
Louis raceways--- blazing with light.

No cowhide drums, shields or sjambock
amongst the buses weary flock,
long eschewed by these fashion sophisticates
robed in Western suits and frock.

Open the bridge into the terminus
 red-eyed dragons roar to a stop
old and young, loud, articulate
People pour like peas from a pod.

Ebony river-like blacks, stream through the station
sensing scents and firs of home
Through ill-lit streets and gathering darkness
Speeding on homeward through the gloam.

Back at the bus stop green juggernauts are loading,
Folk off to friends, shebeens or to shop
Wide awake, ready for an evenings of freedom
"All aboard, grab a strap Egoli first stop.

by Hillie Feldman  July1982 in Johannesburg

Poem - TREE TOP TOILET

TREE TOP TOILET

have you ever noticed 

that birds who twitter

amongst the litter

Do their shitting 

while sitting 

in the 

treetops 

I offer my splattered hat as proof.

by Hillie Feldman undated

Poem - Skin and bones

         Skin and bones


The temperature reached 42 degrees today
so I took off my skin and sat in my bones
the wind blew cool through my ribs
and every organ perked up
         the cooler tempertures.

The sun sank slowly toward the west
feeling too cool I dressed again
skin first and then my shorts
Descent in hte eye of the law
I wend my way homeward.

by Hillie Feldman, 21st Oct 1996

Poem- What If (good thought)

What If  ?

What if you lay on you back,
And did not give a damn about,
What happened to the world,
While you burned up with frustration.

Day after day the War goes on
That's been on the go for 102 years
And looks like it's never going to end
And never enough tears can be shed.

A never ending line of young men and girls
Stretching through the pages of history
Head for killing fields and take part
In the on going game of kill or be killed.

Israel wants Peace,  we hear that they do too
Only if Israel will agree to remove them selves
To anyplace barring the Middle East,
Then they will give us eternal Peace
And take all the land in exchange.

by Hillie Feldman  20 October 2003

Poem - THE MOBILES

THE  MOBILES 

They come they go,
They flit about.
The laugh they cry,
They scream out loud
     The Mobiles

In my own quiet way
I hear them say
Were here today
But not to stay
     The Mobiles

The rushing winds,
The racing tides,
The shaking earth,
The lowering skies
     The Mobiles

The stage is set
For great events.
The stage itself
is only lent, to
     The Mobiles

They play their parts,
They make their bow,
The curtain drops.
 They've passed us now
      The Mobiles

The passing show
Is passed and gone
The caravans have rolled along
Headed for some distant throng
     The Mobiles

The passing years
Have shed their tears.
The masks of traji-comedy leer
Doddering age - full of fear
No longer mobile
No longer mobile

by Hillie Feldman  undated.