Enjoy some poetry from J-Lyn’s soul

It is hard to believe the well-spoken J-Lyn Matjila (27) from Leondale, with her bouncy curls, bright eyes and broad smile would ever have a problem expressing herself.

But this is exactly where her poetry stems from.

“I am not good at sharing and expressing my emotions verbally, but give me a pen and a piece of paper and through writing I can express myself,” she explained when she visited the GCN last Wednesday.

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J-Lyn grew up in Mmametlhake in Mpumalanga and always had a passion for writing – even though she didn’t focus on it.

“I was raised in a strict home where education was of extreme importance,” she explained

“When I matriculated in 2009, I excelled in accounting and started studying a bachelor of commerce degree at the University of Johannesburg.

“I was unable to complete my studies due to financial reasons, and I decided to start working.

“Through all of this, my love of writing was always in the background, and still I didn’t think much about it.

“Though I can go a week without inspiration, when it does hit, even if it is 3am, I have to write.”

An emotionally abusive relationship and moving on from it is the inspiration behind J-Lyn’s recently released poetry book, Poetry for the Soul.

She made the decision to self-publish.

“It was a difficult decision, but I learnt a lot from the process that will help me with my future writing projects,” she said.

“I was able to see what areas I was strong in and what areas I need help in and from this I have begun researching different publishing houses.

“I think because of everything I’ve experienced with this book, releasing another will be much easier.”

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J-Lyn struggled to find a name for her book at first.

“But then I asked myself: Where do I write my poetry from?

“It really comes from my heart and soul,” she explained.

“So I ran the name past my sister, Erica, and she liked it.

“So Poetry for the Soul has now become my brand, so anything I do going forward will incorporate it.”

With this in mind, her sister helped design the cover for the book, just a stark tree in an empty landscape.

“Her vision is that as I grow, so will the covers of the books. The next one may have some leaves in the tree and so it will grow and so will I,” J-Lyn said.

J-Lyn has no plans to stop growing as a person or expanding her creativity.

“My daughter’s name is Atang, which means expanding, and that is what I plan to do. Not just for me, but for her too,” she said.

J-Lyn plans to expand her writing into novels and even children’s stories, believing you cannot stay in the same place too long.

“I look forward to what lies ahead,” said J-Lyn.

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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za or Kgotsofalang Mashilo (journalist) kgotsofalangm@caxton.co.za

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