The Writing Artist- Breyten Breytenbach

My 3rd writing artist for the month is Breyten Breytenbach. He is a South African poet, painter, essayist, playwright and anti-apartheid activist. He spent seven years in South African prisons for what was considered treason. While serving his sentence, he penned several poetry books. Most notably, The True Confessions of an Albino Terrorist, gave voice to his prison experience.

Rebel Song

Give me a pen

so I may sing

life is not in vain

give me that love

which never rots between fingers

give me a love

as I want to give you one

my dove

grant me a heart

that will pulsate will beat

throb stronger than the white beating

heart of a frightened dove in the dark

knock louder than butter bullets

give me two lips

and bright ink for tongue

to write the earth

one big letter

filled with the milk of mercy.

-Breyton Breytonbach

~ Nia Andino ~