Wolverhampton poet Alphina Ndlovu is a regular on Wolverhampton`s spoken word scene and has appeared at venues as diverse as Cafe Royale in Victoria Street for "Words of Wisdom" and the Newhampton Arts Centre for the Music and Poetry Jam for the recent LoveTheReans Festival in Wolverhampton.
National Poetry Day is celebrated on 3rd October each year and Alphina has written a special poem for the occasion.
Alphina is part of the Art Council England supported project 1in3 (It`s Our Right) which works towards realising women`s empowerment and gender equality including protecting the rights and improving the lives of women, girls and individuals in the LGBTQIA community.
The 1in3 (It`s Our Right) project aims to create a series of artistic workshops led by professional artists. These workshops are designed to provide a safe and supportive environment where participants can explore and express their experiences and perspectives on gender based violence through art and creative writing.
Alphina was part of the workshops that was held at Gatis Community Space in Whitmore Reans in Wolverhampton. She has written a special poem for National Poetry Day ahead of the launch on 3rd November at the Clarendon Hotel with 1in3 (It`s Our Right) and the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton between 4 - 7th November.
"According to the Law Society Gazette published on the 27th of September 2024," said Alphina "domestic violence against women has been declared as an epidemic, ‘a national emergency’ by the government, leaving the justice system bewildered due to limited resources.
‘One woman is killed by an abusive partner or ex-partner every 5 days in England and Wales’, according to the Charity Refuge.
The statistics are disturbing to say the least. I was a victim of domestic violence, thankfully I have escaped. However, the emotional scars are permanent, the impact is deep the damage is felt for generations. Its about time to break the silence and speak up. Its about time Wolverhampton steps ‘out of this darkness’ of domestic violence, walk the talk and embrace its marvellous light as a city. Through poetry, as a she-wolf poet, I am determined to howl until I am heard by the entire Wolverhampton, cut through and beyond, to motherland of Africa, where it is prevalent and remains unchallenged the way it should to this day.
Tomorrow marks the last day of the 60-mile challenge I took up with the charity Refuge, to raise awareness and raise funds to support the cause. It has been an honour to do my part and if I have encouraged one woman to walk away from a toxic relationship, then it has been worth it. The poem I have written, The Black Ocean, is a reflection of my journey, a journey of hope despite emotional darkness and shattered dreams, but also of determination, hope and courage to face the mysterious yet beautiful unknown that presents itself after the exit from domestic abuse.
My message is clear…
No to domestic violence in our communities
No to domestic violence in our churches, mosques and synagogue
No to domestic violence in the court room, justice should prevail
No to domestic violence in the boardroom, all genders are equal
No to domestic violence in the bedroom
Not to domestic violence in the classrooms
Domestic violence is toxic, it is diabolical, it is narcissistic!
It must go!
Enough is enough!"
The Black Ocean
Poem by Alphina Ncube Ndlovu
A river yesterday I was
Meandering through the countryside meadows
Passing through the mountain grandeurs
Cutting through the high and lofty hills
All the way down to the valleys
Where the seed grows
Where the kids play
But today is another day
the unexpected looms before me
no familiar valley, no majestic mountain,
no humming of the blackbird
to herald the glorious morning
Alas! Lo and behold,
A vast endless ocean in my face
Hiding gentle currents and frightful torrents
Safely balancing on this bottomless pit
Unapologetic, assertive, daring
Mr Fear shows up
With his bullying smile
It was eyeball to eyeball encounter
I’m thinking to myself
Flight is the only option
But the soft voice interjects
Flight is not an option!
Consequently, two choices remain
To go back in time
And remain an audacious river
Or to go forward
And be consumed, leaving no footprint of mine
by this daredevil ocean
Right in front of me
I can’t look back in time
The still small voice reminds me
For to go back in time
Is a total no! no!
To go back in time
Is an inconceivability!
For today is the day
The gentle voice beckons me
Yes, indeed, my mind is alert
Beyond a doubt, my heart is receptive
Of course, my spirit is ready
I am stepping up NOW!
Into the vast unknown ocean
Backward never!
Forward ever!
For to go back
Is a luxury I can’t afford anymore
Today is the day
I’m kissing goodbye
To yesterdays’ beautiful river
Today is the day
I’m kissing hello
To today’s unfathomable ocean
I am now taking the risk
It is done! It is done!
I would NEVER be devoured
Instead…
I have become the ocean
The Black Ocean itself!
