Musings of a beat poet captured in debut book
Durbanite and veteran beat-poet John Knottenbelt has released his debut book “Feedback from the Universe (Prune Juice for the Mind and Soul), last week at the Kaphine Korner in Morningside.
JOHN Knottenbelt is no ordinary sixty eight-year-old (68) Durbanite. The writer who started writing beat-poetry in the 1960s is an “out-of-the box,” character like no other. The poet released his debut book “Feedback from the Universe (Prune Juice for the Mind and Soul), last week at the Kaphine Korner in Morningside.
Quirky and edgy, yet kindhearted and observant John, or Dr John as he is known to friends, sees things from various perspectives. He told Berea Mail he was “pulled into” writing during the 1960s socio-political explosion which included an exciting era of poetry, fashion, music and art. “I wasn’t into toffee-box poetry and liked the idea of penning my socio-political observations. At the time we expressed our messages in codes and only those that read between the lines could find the facts behind the words,” he explained.
His wish to launch his book at a coffee shop stemps from the fact that this is where the “beat-generation” of poets, musicians and politicians gathered in the 1960s.
The Sherwood resident said he had always wanted to put his years of writings in a book and only after his retirement had he been free to follow the dream of writing his book. “I have continued my desire of over 50 years, to observe-my life as well as the lives of others in order to gain knowledge and understanding. That which I can share with others in the hope that they too may benefit from what I have discovered, is in this book.”
With a long linage of professionals in the medical and theological fields John believes he inherited the “Medicine of the Mind,” which he calls his ability to understand people and easily grasp the gift of psychology which he uses daily to help friends and strangers with their problems. His grandmother also published a book of poetry in England at the turn of the twentieth century.
He observes people and has kept them archived in his head. He captures every such instance on hastily grabbed pieces of paper with equally hastily grabbed pen or pencil forming them into memories “lest they should pass me by like a meteor.”
Along with the poems and pieces he has gathered, he also gained an understanding that we should (try to) learn something positive from everything in life. These thoughts and shared moments, writings and musings, are included in his book, which also includes his poems. “My poems are drawn from over 50 years of walking through this life, eyes open and realising that there are two sides to everything and that success means learning to understand (the) situation and working towards conquering adversity by learning from it. That aspect too, is reflected in my writings, in the hopes that it will give a fellow traveller, comfort in knowing or an answer to some “unasked questions” within their own life,” he explained.
John’s poems include themes of joy and upliftment, tales of the different shades of life. “They are drawn from diverse people I have known or met. I guess if we pay attention, we all have at least one story to tell, which can be of some assistance to someone. Even someone you may not know or be aware that you are bringing something good into their life, via our written experiences.”
A few selected drawings and paintings have also been included in his book.
Feedback from the Universe (Prune Juice for the Mind and Soul) costs R160 and can be obtained from the author directly. Contact John via email: drjohn@telkomsa.net or call 0846151148.
