General Introduction
"Notes from No Sanctuary" by Keorapetse Kgostitsile is a powerful poem that grapples with themes of oppression, identity, and resistance. The poem is divided into two parts, each exploring different facets of the Black experience and the struggle for liberation. Kgostitsile, a South African poet and political activist, uses stark and evocative language to address the complexities and contradictions faced by Black individuals under systemic racism and oppression.
Title
The title "Notes from No Sanctuary" suggests a message or observation from a place of no refuge or safety. It implies that there is no place of solace or peace, especially for those subjected to systemic injustices. The absence of a sanctuary emphasizes the harsh realities faced by the oppressed.
Stanza-by-Stanza Analysis
I
1. Lines 1-3: The poem opens with the assertion that true sanctuary can only be found in purposeful action, dismissing the notion of passive refuge. This sets the tone for a call to activism.
- "There are no sanctuaries / except in purposeful action;"
2. Lines 4-10: The poet reflects on a deeper existential pain, more profound than physical wounds, and criticizes the passive belief in a distant god instead of active engagement with the world.
- "There are wounds deeper / than flesh. Deeper and more / concrete than belief in some god / who would your eye / in the sterile sky instead of / thrusting it on the piece of earth / you walk everyday and say, / Reclaim it."
3. Lines 11-14: Despite the urge to impart this wisdom, the poet acknowledges that it is more important to focus on the present and practical realities.
- "But I let it pass since / it is really about knowing today and how."
4. Lines 15-19: The poet anticipates the questioning of future generations, wondering why they were brought into a world of impotence and suffering.
- "This is what it has come to. Daughters / and sons are born now and could ask, / you know: Knowing your impotence why / did you bring me here?"
5. Lines 20-30: The poet grapples with the concept of life as an irrefutable reality and criticizes the notion of passive existence. There is a bitter recognition of cultural loss and the mocking imitation of foreign idols.
- "Life is the unarguable referent. / What you know is merely a point / of departure. So let's move. But we have / been dead so long and continue. There will / be no songs this year. We no longer / sing. Except perhaps some hideous / gibberish like james brown making believe / he is american or beautiful or proud."
6. Lines 31-36: There is a sharp critique of religious indifference and the commodification of suffering. The poet mentions the superficiality of activism that fails to address the root problems.
- "I could say, like Masekela, / We are jail here. Which is / to say, We have done nothing. / I could say,... but see, / What difference does it make / as long as we eat white shit?"
II
1. Lines 37-40: This section opens with a reflection on the historical context of oppression, questioning the specificity of past struggles and their lessons.
- "How many deaths and specific / how or when ago was it / the rememberer said, where / to go is what to do?"
2. Lines 41-44: The poet criticizes the superficial dialogue and the self-serving pursuits of Black individuals who conform to white societal expectations.
- "And cold black hustlers of my generation claw / their way into the whitenesses of their desire / and purpose. Here a slave's groan and shudder / is a commodity the hustler peddles newly-wrapped"
3. Lines 45-53: The poet condemns the commercialization of suffering and the hollow rhetoric of revolutionaries. There is a call for genuine action and authentic expression.
- "in brother, sister, revolution, power to the people... / So now having spoken our time or referent, / a people's soul gangrened to impotence, / all the obscene black&whitetogether kosher / shit of mystified apes... Where then is / the authentic song? The determined / upagainstthewallmotherfucker act?"
4. Lines 54-64: The poet challenges the reader to rise above superficial activism and to consider the true purpose of their actions. There is a call to transcend hollow declarations and achieve meaningful change.
- "So say you say you float above / this menace, having violently tasted / white shit past the depths of any / word you know. Say you float above / the dollar-green eye of the hustler whose / purpose is cloaked in dashikis and glib / statements about revolution. / Say you float / untouchably above this menace, does / your purpose, if there be one, propose / to be less impotent than this poem?"
Themes
1. Oppression and Resistance: The poem discusses the systemic oppression faced by Black individuals and the need for purposeful action to resist it.
- "There are no sanctuaries / except in purposeful action;"
2. Critique of Passive Belief: Kgostitsile critiques passive religious beliefs that do not translate into tangible action or resistance.
- "Deeper and more / concrete than belief in some god / who would your eye / in the sterile sky instead of / thrusting it on the piece of earth / you walk everyday and say, / Reclaim it."
3. Generational Responsibility: The poet reflects on the responsibility to future generations and the existential questions they might pose.
- "Knowing your impotence why / did you bring me here?"
4. Cultural Identity and Authenticity: The poem condemns the loss of cultural identity and the superficial adoption of foreign ideals.
- "We no longer / sing. Except perhaps some hideous / gibberish like james brown making believe / he is american or beautiful or proud."
5. Commercialization of Suffering: The poet criticizes the exploitation of Black suffering for profit and the superficial nature of some revolutionary rhetoric.
- "a slave's groan and shudder / is a commodity the hustler peddles newly-wrapped / in brother, sister, revolution, power to the people..."
Structure and Form
The poem is divided into two sections, each with a distinct focus. The first section is introspective and philosophical, while the second section is more outward-looking and confrontational. The free verse structure allows Kgostitsile to use varied line lengths and enjambment to create a flowing, conversational tone.
Literary Devices
1. Metaphor: Kgostitsile uses metaphors to convey deeper meanings, such as comparing systemic oppression to "white shit."
- "as long as we eat white shit?"
2. Irony: There is a bitter irony in the references to superficial cultural icons and hollow revolutionary rhetoric.
- "like james brown making believe / he is american or beautiful or proud."
3. Allusion: The poem alludes to historical and cultural figures, such as Masekela and religious deities, to ground its critique in real-world contexts.
- "I could say, like Masekela, / We are jail here."
4. Rhetorical Questions: Kgostitsile uses rhetorical questions to provoke thought and challenge the reader.
- "Knowing your impotence why / did you bring me here?"
5. Symbolism: The poem uses symbols such as the "sterile sky" and "piece of earth" to represent passive belief and active engagement, respectively.
- "who would your eye / in the sterile sky instead of / thrusting it on the piece of earth / you walk everyday and say, / Reclaim it."
6. Imagery: Vivid imagery is used to depict the harsh realities and contradictions faced by the oppressed.
- "a slave's groan and shudder / is a commodity the hustler peddles newly-wrapped"
Language and Diction
Kgostitsile's language is direct, raw, and confrontational. The diction reflects a deep sense of frustration and urgency, with frequent use of colloquial expressions and expletives to underscore the intensity of his message.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is somber and reflective, with an undercurrent of anger and defiance. The tone is critical and challenging, urging the reader to confront uncomfortable truths and take meaningful action.
Context
Keorapetse Kgostitsile was a prominent South African poet and political activist, deeply involved in the anti-apartheid movement. His works often reflect his commitment to social justice and his critique of both systemic oppression and superficial resistance. "Notes from No Sanctuary" was written in this context, addressing the ongoing struggles of Black individuals in both South Africa and the broader African diaspora.
Conclusion
"Notes from No Sanctuary" is a powerful critique of passive resistance and superficial activism. Kgostitsile calls for genuine, purposeful action and a reclaiming of cultural identity. The poem's stark language and vivid imagery serve to challenge the reader to reflect on their own roles and responsibilities in the struggle for justice and liberation.
Notes from No Sanctuary by Keorapetse Kgostitsile
I
There are no sanctuaries
except in purposeful action;
I could say to my child,
There are wounds deeper
than flesh. Deeper and more
concrete than belief in some god
who would your eye
in the sterile sky instead of
thrusting it on the piece of earth
you walk everyday and say,
Reclaim it.
But I let it pass since
it is really about knowing today and how.
This is what it has come to. Daughters
and sons are born now and could ask,
you know: Knowing your impotence why
did you bring me here?
I could say:
Life is the unarguable referent.
What you know is merely a point
of departure. So let's move. But we have
been dead so long and continue. There will
be no songs this year. We no longer
sing. Except perhaps some hideous
gibberish like james brown making believe
he is american or beautiful or proud. Or
some fool's reference to allah who, like
jehovah, never gave a two-bit shit about niggers.
I could say, like Masekela,
We are jail here. Which is
to say, We have done nothing.
I could say,... but see,
What difference does it make
as long as we eat white shit?
not matter what it is wrapped up in!
II
How many deaths and specific
how or when ago was it
the rememberer said, where
to go is what to do?
Still we talk somuch!
And cold black hustlers of my generation claw
their way into the whitenesses of their desire
and purpose. Here a slave's groan and shudder
is a commodity the hustler peddles newly-wrapped
in brother, sister, revolution, power to the people...
So now having spoken our time or referent,
a people's soul gangrened to impotence,
all the obscene black&whitetogether kosher
shit of mystified apes... Where then is
the authentic song? The determined
upagainstthewallmotherfucker act?
So say you say you float above
this menace, having violently tasted
white shit past the depths of any
word you know. Say you float above
the dollar-green eye of the hustler whose
purpose is cloaked in dashikis and glib
statements about revolution.
Say you float
untouchably above this menace, does
your purpose, if there be one, propose
to be less impotent than this poem?
Leave a comment behind