THREESOME Poems by Pulane Moiloa

Pulane Moiloa, author of the collection of poems titled “THREESOME” has a formidable pedigree. She is the latest in a long line of distinguished, creative writing family. How is this?

Pulane’s grandfather, Dr JJ Moiloa was the prolific avant-garde, outstanding intellectual whose books in Sesotho are prescribed in many schools. Pulane’s father, Kolisang Moiloa, has also published impressive works in Sesotho.

Pulane started writing – ironically in English, at the age of 12. She appears to be an instinctive poet, as her debut book, Threesome, shows. Her voice is restrained, yet probing, intelligent and focused. She appears to be devoid of undue bitterness and acrimony.

THREESOME contains the following poems: A path of yonder, Africa’s path, African appearance, Brought a smile, Can U, This is not the end of the road, hand in hand, hear me out, How sad, my apologies! Longing, Mama Africa, meet my ideal. My first piece of love, Realise, Success. Threesome, Well where are you, Yeh missing Yah; and never Thought.

The poet is obviously proud to be an African, as the buoyant, effervescent mood of “Africa’s Path” and “African Appearance show:

The lands of fruits and herbalists
The land of charity, season to season!
The multi-cultured, so to multi-lingual
The old, so to the new still

The poet’s tribute to “Mammy Dinku” in “How sad my apologies” is heartfelt:

Like the sunrise every morning
Like a candle with undying flame
Like the moon and stars brightening up the sky
U’ve always been there
I LOVE U SO MUCH!

The poet shows her philosophical side in “Realise” where, inter alia, she muses:

Life is a journey
Life is full of complications
Life is unpredictable
Only one’s prayers and faith would help
Life is planted like a seed
Only one can water it with smiles

The title poem, “Threesome” is also in this vein, with some astrological connotations. Like so many young South African poets, Pulane’s poems largely adumbrate the ambience of typical English poems, which are generally lyrical and uncomplicated. Reading her debut collection, the impression that Pulane Moiloa is a talented, promising bard becomes reinforced.

* This review, re-published here, is courtesy of the Phoenix Literary Club (Ladybrand)