Poet in the Park

Chisango moved to South Africa from Zimbabwe in 2010 and began working at the Field and Study Park. He soon met Rose Johnson, director of The Friends of Field and Study, who discovered Chisango’s passion for reading and writing.

Johnson said, “After we got to know each other, Phineas asked for books to read. I gave him books of all kinds, fact and fiction, which he read at a rate of knots. One afternoon I met him in the summerhouse and he had rather tatty pieces of paper in front of him. I asked what they were and he said ‘my poetry’. I asked to read it and was blown away by the power, the content and the writing. Here was an educated man of such depth, way above a park cleaner.”

Chisango said he had been writing ever since he finished school in Harare and had always attempted to write motivational poems.

In preparation for the 16 days of Activism against Gender Violence which runs from the 25 November to 10 December globally, Chisango wrote numerous poems protesting against the abuse of women. And through a commanding literary voice and startling imagery, he crafted his clear views against domestic abuse.

He hopes to move forward as a poet and spread his message by one day starting his own website to market himself as best he can.

Chisango has also developed a great passion for Field and Study Park and has developed his own ways to help improve the park. Johnson said, “I bought him a book and encouraged him to write more. The next time, I was presented with a development plan for the park. A most professional document right down to costing. We have a common passion, the park, and he is keen to be a part of making it even more of a beautiful place to be, with many improvements needed.”

The Mighty Woman:

Mighty, might woman

With a full armour of power

Getting to the top of the hierarchy

Putting world disorders to order

Somewhat feared,

If Powell could, Rice can.

Hardworking like a heavy machine

From the bed early

To bed late

Decision, precision

So competent not complacent

Real confidence arena

Patriotic like whosoever

Serving my nation with my soul

I mean the rest of the oath

My speech is splendour

Bubbling with reality not arrogance

Am proudly a woman enough