The book is entitled Black Butterflies – Selected poems by Ingrid Jonker after the several references to ‘black butterflies’ in her works. It is a absolutely riveting read and I literally could not put it down. I read half the book before I landed in Cape Town. If I had not gotten home at 1am I would have finished the book that night. Instead I read the second half leisurely the next evening, staring occasionally at the heaps of work I had due.
The introduction has been brilliantly written by Andre Brink one of Jonker’s ex lovers, a man several of the poems are inspired and dedicated to. The poems have been translated by Antjie Krog, one of South Africa’s foremost Afrikaans poets. The selection of poems, were specifically chosen to illustrate a good cross-section of Jonker's work and illustrate her masterful poetic skill. The book also provides an insight into the lives of many of South Africa's best artists and writers in the 60's.
Ingrid Jonkers life ended abruptly at the age of only 31, when she killed herself by drowning at a Seapoint beach in Cape Town. A veritable South African Sylvia Plath, Jonker's tragic life was filled with disappointment, tragedy and abuse. She had been admitted into Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital following a ‘backdoor’ abortion which left her emotionally scared and traumatised. This combined by the rejection of her father left her seeking male approval for much of her life. A beautiful seductress she was linked to a string of famous lovers. Her emotional turmoil often lead to the rejection of her great loves which left her shattered and depressed. These experiences nevertheless served to enriched her work. Personally, I find her poetry poignant, beautiful and timeless. In short. Read the book. It’s bloody good.
I have selected three of my favourite poems from the book. They were originally published in Jonker’s sensational book Smoke and Ochre (1963) which received rave reviews and wide acclaim. I have unfortunately not been able to get my hands on it and have hence not quotes the original Afrikaans poems. If anybody has the Afrikaans versions pease post them so I will include them.
Last Night
last night in your arms
by the horseshoe moon
we picked a small clover
with four leaves on
today I am standing
in the yard by the bin
my heart all mistrusting
like a chicken in a tin
picking at one grain a stone
down the slope turning
love is nothing more
than the yearning
The troubadour’s ditty
At my house or where I roam
everywhere I’m almost home
in the chamber if the night
I forget sometimes I wait for light
but the instant which escapes the yoke
from ferris wheel or casual joke
finds the coldly gleaming ways
back to where your silence stays
back to the eagles of your sight
into the blue, lofty flight
until you drop me from your tongue
back on hard earth, unseen, unsung
Bitter-berry daybreak
Bitter-berry daybreak
bitter-berry sun
a mirror has broken
between me and him
I try to find the highway
perhaps to run away
but everywhere the footpaths
of his words lead me astray
Pinewood remember
pinewood forget
however much I lose my way
I step on my regret
Parrot-colour echo
tricks me tricks me on
until I turn beguiled
to retrieve the mocking song
Echo gives no answer
he answers everyone
bitter-berry daybreak
bitter-berry sun
