Writers 2000 talk poetry

Dr Duncan Stepto addressed Writers 2000 members and visitors on March 28 about his “journey from being an incidental poet to something more substantial”.

He recounted his experiences as a 17-year-old lad working on the Zambesi River where he penned his first poem.

Dr Stepto’s exposure to the wilderness played a role in his work as his early poems covered a wide spectrum, encompassing the macabre, humour, nostalgia, the beauty and the savagery of nature and mankind’s careless attitude towards nature.

For long spells in his life, the incidental poet (IP) disappeared only to reappear, unexpectedly and full of new energy.

Fresh inspiration emerged while he was on the Mediterranean on a Greek tramp steamer, during time spent in the port of Alexandria and later under great stress during post grad studies at Wits.

Dr Stepto also spoke of his time spent in Botswana and also shared his love for China.

Dr Stepto, poetry editor for Writers 2000, will conduct a poetry writing workshop on October 31 from 10am to 12pm.

The next meeting of Writers 2000 will take place on April 23 at the Inyoni Creek Clubhouse, Rand Aid Complex, Modderfontein Road from 1pm to 2pm. The guest speaker will be Romy Sommer, a romance writer and the founder and chairperson of the Romance Writers of SA group (ROSA).

For more information, contact Nicolette Bosman on w2000@telkomsa.net or 0829245735.