Insights from Poet Mangaliso Buzani on Poetry Writing that Preserves its Conversational Flow

The essence of poetry writing is often lost when a strictly academic approach is used, but we can assist you with a more authentic way to engage with your craft. Writing, above all, is meant to be an enriching endeavour that impacts the world but, most significantly, affects the self. The path of the poet is a lonely one and, unfortunately, often challenging. It becomes even more tricky to understand the balance between dynamic and meaningful writing and the process of structuring and editing one’s piece. In this article, we look at some insights and advice given by educator and award-winning poet Mangaliso Buzani, who has dedicated his career to creating exceptional poetry and teaching others to do the same. Below, we explore how to step into conversation with ourselves, others, and the world, and how this engagement informs immediate, harmonious written works that flow as well as eager dialogue does.

About Mangaliso Buzani, Poetry Writing, and the Power of Form

Born in Port Elizabeth in 1978, Mangaliso Buzani went on to study Creative Writing at Rhodes University and achieved his MA with distinction. He’s a published writer with works such as “Ndisabhala Imibongo” (a poetry collection) and other poetic gems like “Inside the River” (his English thesis collection) and “a naked bone” (Deep South, 2019) which saw him win the 2019 Glenna Luschei Prize for African Poetry. He also has several published poems in various magazines, including New Coin, Ityhini, Carapace, and Kotaz. Proficient in both English and isiXhosa, Buzani seeks out an interface between spontaneous and genuine emotions and diligent revision and editing that does not allow the piece to lose its magic. Buzani himself is also a jeweller by training, and the expertise in his craft also extends into his approach to poetry writing because eventually, a unique and exquisite piece emerges by slowly perfecting your creation.

So, how does he get started? With honest conversations. The esteemed poet describes his perpetual and purposeful interaction with the world around him, including poets from all over the world, such as throughout Africa, Latin America, and Europe. One of his most important tips is to read poetry because that’s the most effective way to learn how to write it. Immersing oneself in the works of other poets that you enjoy and inspecting how they organise their work and present it will give you a better understanding of how to amplify your own voice in a way that remains true to you. Over time and with practice, you will understand where structured form and freedom to explore can co-exist.

The Best Way to Expand Your Writing and Fuse Structure with Authenticity

Along with engaging with other poets and their poems, Buzani suggests remaining in conversation with the natural world around you and even everyday objects. You can look at a vase of flowers and see only a vase of flowers – or you can deliberately contemplate it and explore what makes it beautiful, meaningful, or inspiring. Another tip from the poet is to let the poetry writing process flow without too many limitations at first. Let your creativity take you for a walk across the page, and write what you feel to write without a looming sense of perfectionism or a critical eye. Once you have expressed what you want to say, you can start to structure and organise your words to create a cohesive flow and emphasise the piece’s meaning without taking its essence away. This process takes time, and you can expect to revise your work repeatedly, ensuring that the original feeling behind your words is what informs the eventual structure of the poem. Lastly, Buzani encourages writers to be ready to receive their poems from the world around them at all times. Try to write regularly and be open to the inspiration all around you, which can come in any form and at any moment.

Starting Your Writing Journey Today

Are you ready to start your conversation with the world right now? Your first step is to get inspired. If you want to read more of Mangaliso Buzani’s works, order your copy of “a naked bone” from Deep South Books or the African Books Collective. You can also explore our library collection of poems and begin your dialogue with local poets nationwide.

The Right Structure and Flow

Although poetry is never consigned to any limitations in terms of structure and form, there is a general preference when it comes to loving memory poems. Often, people find more familiar forms and structures comforting, such as the sonnet. Free verses, as long as they remain well-organised and anchored to a central theme, can also convey more tenderness and intimacy. Keeping your peace simple, clean, and using a musical flow when it comes to the piece’s rhythm is best for poems that create a sense of peaceful contemplation, quiet reflection, and soothing comfort.

Closure, Reflection, and Healing

A single poem will never heal the pain of a loss, but it can be part of the process of finding closure and acceptance. People most often enjoy a piece that acknowledges the dark sorrow left in the wake of death but still closes on a hopeful, reassuring note. A concluding thought or call to a hopeful purpose will not only help your audience navigate their current emotions but guide them to a space of comfort in which they can recognise their own resilience.

One of the best ways to start learning how to write poetry is to read poems, and we have a library collection filled with examples under various themes. Here, you can explore poetry from South African writers in all 11 official languages and gain inspiration for your own work.

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