Starting at the southern tip: six weeks of poems and Olympics from Africa

As I mentioned yesterday my 23 days of vacation is coming to an end, which means that for 22.68 days I had passing thoughts about teaching an English class for six weeks. I also am wise enough to know that my students will be a groggy mess after sleeping in for 23 days.

My goal is to give my students a tour of Africa through their poets and their athletes. And if you know me there will likely be some music involved, possibly jazz. And don't be shocked if you hear me giving dramatic readings of African myths.

I will start the summer off with the video posted above, then we will read a NY Times article that talks about whether it is fair for a man born without lower leg bones to compete against men who have them.

Breathe in....
Breath out...
Breathe in....
Breath out...
Breathe in....
Breath out...

This is the rhythm of a poem I found. For me it took me to Sundays following the Eucharist, but I am thinking I need to breathe more than once a week
Where does it take you? I want to see where it will take my students.

Here is where it took Julia Martin.

A Small Wind, Breathing

Breathing in, cold sky enters the chest
Breathing out, steam puffs white

Breathing in, the smell of buses in the morning
Breathing out, the late roses are pink and yellow

Breathing in, the roots of the trees grow under the house
Breathing out, each leaf exhales

Breathing in, sun rises over the power station
Breathing out, golden clouds

Breathing in, fear holds the belly
Breathing out, grey seagulls

Breathing in, pain opens in the heart
Breathing out, someone is making breakfast

Breathing in, the touch of hands is warm
Breathing out, a smile

Breathing in, cool space
Breathing out, warm

Breathing in, the skin is porous, receiving light
Breathing out, a small wind moves
__________
previously published in: Leon de Kock & Ian Tromp, eds.
The Heart in Exile: South African Poetry, 1990-1995
(London: Penguin, 1996) 224.