Greenside resident launches poetry book inspired by trees
André Hattingh's new poetry collection, My Leaves Stay Green, combines her love for trees with artworks by Bronwen Findlay, celebrating nature, resilience, and Johannesburg's urban forest.
Greenside resident André Hattingh, best known as a stage and television actress, singer-songwriter and dress designer, has added author to her list of achievements with the launch of her new poetry collection, My Leaves Stay Green.
The coffee-table book combines Hattingh’s poems with artwork by award-winning artist Bronwen Findlay, her long-time friend. Together, the two creatives have produced what Hattingh describes as a ‘feast for the eye and soul’, pairing lyrical verses with paintings inspired by her lifelong connection to trees.
Read more: Dr Treive Nicholas revisits Xhosa tragedy in new book launch in Rosebank
“My first relationship with trees was in Thorn Country, at the foothills of the Drakensberg,” Hattingh said. “Now I live in Greenside, Johannesburg, the largest urban forest in the world. Many call it the City of Gold, but to me, it is the City of Trees.”
The idea for the book took shape during the Covid-19 lockdown, when Hattingh began posting short poems about trees on Facebook to lift people’s spirits. Readers responded enthusiastically, encouraging her to gather them into a collection. Her sister coined the phrase ‘Pop-up Poetree’ to describe the short, accessible style of her poems, written to suit a fast-paced world.
Also read: Another Atholl parkrun for the books
The book includes works such as Bark Angels, Spirit Tree and Tree Dream, alongside verses inspired by her own experiences, including surviving cancer. The title My Leaves Stay Green comes from one of her songs written during chemotherapy, symbolising endurance and renewal.
Findlay’s artworks enrich the collection. “Bronwen paints poems with her brush, and I use words to paint mine,” Hattingh said. “I found my poems inside her paintings.”
Hattingh has also taken the book to the stage in a 40-minute performance, also titled My Leaves Stay Green. In it, she sings her compositions, recites poetry and weaves stories from her life. She has performed at churches, charities and retirement villages, and said the show resonates with audiences seeking moments of reflection and joy.
My Leaves Stay Green is available directly from the author at R350, with postage anywhere in South Africa for R100. To order a copy or to book her show, contact Hattingh at andrel@global.co.za.
Through her poetry and performances, Hattingh hopes readers and audiences will pause to see Johannesburg’s trees differently. “They’re not just lining the streets,” she said. “They’re holding great wisdom and serving a wonderful purpose.”
Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!
