AVBOB celebrates mental health
The AVBOB Poetry Project celebrates World Mental Health Day, 10 October, by paying tribute to the KZN poet Teamhw SbonguJesu. “Hopelessness is a feeling I have battled with, together with loneliness/isolation. I think inner turmoil itself is what keeps me writing. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have inner turmoil,” says Teamhw. Teamhw’s …
The AVBOB Poetry Project celebrates World Mental Health Day, 10 October, by paying tribute to the KZN poet Teamhw SbonguJesu.
“Hopelessness is a feeling I have battled with, together with loneliness/isolation. I think inner turmoil itself is what keeps me writing. I can’t remember a time when I didn’t have inner turmoil,” says Teamhw.
Teamhw’s poems plumb the depths of despair, addiction and loneliness. He acknowledges that some people find his subject-matter uncomfortable. While the voice speaking in them is not necessarily his own, he admits that inner turmoil fuelled his writing process.
“Writing gave me a break from dark thoughts, when I needed that break most. I was able to explain things better to myself through writing them down. I was able to see things more clearly. Poetry can provide relief, understanding and self-awareness,” Teamhw says.
The AVBOB Poetry Project suggests writing a poem featuring a particular mood or state of mind that is powerfully present in your life.
The AVBOB Poetry Competition reopened on 1 August 2023. Visit the website https://www.avbobpoetry.co.za/ for more information.
