Conscience Fiction
Poetry by Ilva Pieterse

I’m sorry

January 9th 2010

I’m sorry I beheld you like a painting I’m sorry I never held you like a person I’m sorry I couldn’t complete the story you started writing as a boy About the child inside a whale I’m sorry I couldn’t finish your tale About the girl cradled in an orange rind I’m sorry I could [...]

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Die ou ma

August 3rd 2009

Die ou vrou sit en pyp rook op die stoep Terwyl die son sak Sy sien my raak En begin te roep. Sy sê, “Kind Kom bietjie nader.” Sy sê, “Kind Jy lyk net soos jou vader.” Met krag Wat ek nooit sou verwag nie Gooi sy haar arms om my lyf Sy druk my [...]

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Where is the child?

December 29th 2008

There is a little girl with a marble torch that shines nothing but the colour she is made of. And the strings, like that of a marionette that keep her alive – and moving – are attached to the hand of one she does not recognise. Little puppet, little puppet, lick my skin. Faulty fingers [...]

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