Poetry and poësie

Photographic by De Waal Venter

Pointers

Fingers
somewhat like pinkish asparagus,
brownish legumes,
chins, the prows of ships,
some rusty and rugged,
some with the frisky curves
of playful yachts,
heads
a bit like haphazard cabbages
in a field
stretching towards a housing project,
eyes,
countless windows
in the buildings
with almost undetectable movement
behind them,
some go out;
arms,
rather like old-fashioned traffic signals
lifting stiflly in a unified Nazi salute,
hands
reminding one
of flamingos in shallow water,
some still,
some unfolding into flight,
all of these
aimed at you;
and you will have to decide
whether to feel accused
or enjoy the praise.