IN the hope that she might uplift her community and country at large, Irene Sout, a poet from Uitenhage recently wrote a poem about COVID-19 and hopes her words will inspire people to support one another.
According to Sout who is a senior clerk at Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, her poem titled The Heat and Beat of COVID-19 SA, expressed the sensitivity of the pandemic which has affected the nation physically and emotionally.
Sout said with her poem she wanted her community to realise the reality of the virus and that they should be cautious.
Apart from being weary, she also wanted to encourage people to stay positive in faith during these troubling times.
“The pandemic should strengthen us as a community to keep on caring for one another. This experience should also strengthen our faith,” said Sout.
She further said it was important for her to write this poem to express her condolences to those who have been affected by the virus.
Despite the various challenges faced by many in Uitenhage such as lack of food, inadequate health care and the living conditions of those staying in shacks, Sout said people in the community have continued to show compassion to those affected by COVID-19.
In June, the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Communications Office indicated that with the increase in COVID-19 positive cases in Uitenhage and KwaNobuhle, there was a newly developed hot spot in these two areas.
With the increasing numbers, Sout said the community was aware of the dangers of contracting the virus and people have been wearing masks while in public places.
Sout who recently lost her church leader to COVID-19 said after experiencing the loss of someone close to her she realised that the virus was tricky and heartless.
“We need to fight this virus by keeping our families safe.
“As a country I would encourage people to pray continuously regardless of their religion. I believe that love and faith will prevail,” said Sout.
In September last year, Sout published her first poetry collection titled Salty Woods.
The poetry collection was a collection of 30 poems which focused mainly on issues which plagued her crime ridden community.
Since the release of her poetry collection, Sout has written two books, but owing to financial constraints she has not been able to publish the books.
Extracts from her poem:
Let us unite and fight back
Our heartbeat is stronger than fear
love is the greatest weapon of all
The virus may infect our body
But not attack our mind
Hunger may strike our homes
The bread of life is our soul
The virus may distance us but love prevail in our hearts
Questions are unanswered
Prayer is the answer
