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General Introduction
The poem "Goodbye Johannesburg, Hello....." is written by Mike Alfred, a South African poet known for his evocative portrayals of urban life and landscapes. Alfred’s works often reflect the socio-political changes and personal experiences intertwined with the environments he inhabits. This poem captures the transition from Johannesburg, a city steeped in the history and personal memories of the narrator, to Cape Town, symbolizing new beginnings and challenges.
The Poem
Goodbye Johannesburg, Hello..... (A poem by Mike Alfred)
I appear as a man
starting another story
I’m accelerating along the M2 West
heading for the Vaal
I’m gently swaying and clacking over
the Fordsburg viaduct on the Trans Karroo
I’m on the R21 to OR Tambo
for my Cape Town flight
A migrant between the book ends of
my life; Johannesburg the library
Egoli, we grew up together,
learned to love one another
about you
I waxed loquacious
I was your scribe
delivered multiple tellings
I was too young to be asked
so here I was, faced with my
unquestioning arrival
my life and my futures
settled by migration
school, university, work,
my life unfolding, lovers,
love’s failures
love’s acceptances
career successes and
other episodes that make a life:
children, death of parents
from twelve dwellings we penetrated
your neighbourhods
[no more half-price pizza at the
Radium with Clive]
Goodbye Johannesburg
I’ve left my story with you
my story of you and of me
all my written words and
so many spoken
[no more Lasagne at Francos
with the Cohens]
my words about
golden winter days
and torrential white waters
after summer thunderstorms
my memories of tram rides
up and down the hills
driving through the great
exotic forest doubling
as an aviary
mansions and shacks
crazy driver pissing competitions
the growth and demise of apartheid
about the men who found
gold and the men who mined
gold and the those who followed:
workers and traders, whores and wives
and the six generations of
citizens who built the great sprawling
city where once was grass and banket
[no more dining at the Carlton]
the industrial revolution that
took place underground
the crime capital
the arena where once white was so baas
[no more draught beer at die kneipe,
sitting in the setting sun with Allan]
Goodbye Johannesburg,
Goodbye Soweto
you were my marvelous voyage
you were the destination
and the journey
the backdrop and the fabric of my life
and all that life holds
the great adventure playground
the full catastrophe
and you were wonderful.
[No more symphonies at the Linder
Or movies in the Mall]
but, dear Jozi,
I cannot cling any longer
you fashioned and scene-changed
my life, but now, it’s over,
I’m moving on, but I’ll carry your
legacy in my bones and tissues
on printed pages I’ll preserve yours;
together we acknowledged
histories and biographies
you called me to explore
the world’s greatest goldrush,
the richest square mile in Africa
Illegal gold digging and Black Diamonds
creating a new future
the Stone Age and the Iron Age
preserving the past
[no more Rugby at Ellis Park]
this huge extent of
my ordinary existence
where with every step
every revolution
I clocked up
my life’s generous odometer
but . . . . .
I’m almost clear of
the city now
moving, moving . . . . .
moving on
hello Cape Town, my adaptive
challenge, where the surf never stops beating,
sea-surge calling me to the edge of my life
here in Muizenberg village, history taunts me again
this village, struggling not to be tawdry, sleazy
or greasy spoon
and not quite succeeding
seeking some former grace and glory
but the world has moved since Snake Pit days
it’s a Rainbow Nation place
clean streets and dirty shouts
and the destitute call under-the-bridge, home
so barracks regular and neat
it’s full of despair and flesh, beautiful bodies
filling wet suits and hardly filling bikinis
the uniform: shorts, t shirts, slip slops
dirty jeans and beards
art deco talks loudly here and Cinnabar’s an eyesore
surf boards and skate boards are the
preferred modes of travel
motor bikes are all athrottle
[I can attend films at the Labia with friends]
The Alfred family are now
disturbed by wind and damp
and rapid cloudy change
they‘ll learn to negotiate the Cape
currency of property
not gold.
Title
The title "Goodbye Johannesburg, Hello....." immediately sets the tone for the poem, suggesting a departure and a new beginning. It hints at themes of transition, change, and the emotional complexities of leaving a place filled with memories. The ellipsis at the end creates an open-ended feeling, indicating uncertainty about the future.
Themes
1. Transition and Change: The poem captures the physical and emotional journey of moving from Johannesburg to Cape Town. "Goodbye Johannesburg / I’ve left my story with you" signifies a farewell to a familiar life and the beginning of a new chapter.
2. Nostalgia and Memory: The poet reflects on his life in Johannesburg with vivid memories of various experiences. "Egoli, we grew up together, / learned to love one another" conveys a deep connection and nostalgia for the past.
3. Urban Life: The poem intricately describes the urban landscapes of Johannesburg and Cape Town, highlighting the contrasts and similarities. "Goodbye Johannesburg, / Goodbye Soweto / you were my marvelous voyage" emphasizes the dynamic and multifaceted nature of city life.
4. Identity and Belonging: The poet’s identity is closely tied to Johannesburg, as seen in "I was your scribe / delivered multiple tellings." His move to Cape Town marks a shift in his sense of belonging and identity.
5. Legacy and History: The poem addresses the historical and social changes within Johannesburg, from the gold rush to apartheid and beyond. "the growth and demise of apartheid / about the men who found / gold and the men who mined / gold" reflects the city's historical significance.
Structure and Form
The poem is written in free verse, which allows for a fluid and natural expression of the poet's thoughts and memories. The stanzas vary in length, mirroring the meandering journey of the narrator's reflections. There is no consistent rhyme scheme or meter, which adds to the conversational and personal tone of the poem.
Literary Devices
1. Imagery: Vivid images of Johannesburg and Cape Town are painted throughout the poem. "golden winter days / and torrential white waters" evokes a strong visual picture of the city's weather and landscape.
2. Metaphor: Johannesburg is metaphorically referred to as a "library," symbolizing a repository of the poet’s life experiences. "A migrant between the book ends of / my life; Johannesburg the library" emphasizes the accumulation of memories.
3. Personification: Johannesburg is personified as a companion in the poet’s life journey. "Egoli, we grew up together, / learned to love one another" gives the city human-like qualities.
4. Allusion: The poem references historical and cultural elements, such as "the growth and demise of apartheid" and "the world's greatest goldrush," grounding the personal narrative in a broader socio-political context.
5. Repetition: The phrase "Goodbye Johannesburg" is repeated throughout the poem, emphasizing the act of leaving and the emotional weight of farewell.
6. Juxtaposition: The poem contrasts the bustling life of Johannesburg with the more laid-back, yet challenging atmosphere of Cape Town. "hello Cape Town, my adaptive / challenge, where the surf never stops beating" highlights the differences between the two cities.
Language and Diction
The language of the poem is conversational and reflective, with a mix of formal and informal diction. Words like "Egoli," "waxed loquacious," and "aviary" reflect a deep, almost nostalgic connection to Johannesburg, while phrases like "adaptive challenge" and "surf boards and skate boards" introduce the reader to the new life in Cape Town. The use of local dialect and references to places and events adds authenticity and depth to the narrative.
Mood and Tone
The mood of the poem is nostalgic and bittersweet, reflecting the poet’s deep connection to Johannesburg and the sadness of leaving it behind. The tone is reflective and contemplative, as the poet reminisces about past experiences and contemplates the uncertainties of the future. There is also a sense of acceptance and readiness for new challenges, as seen in the lines "but, dear Jozi, / I cannot cling any longer / you fashioned and scene-changed / my life, but now, it’s over."
Context
The poem "Goodbye Johannesburg, Hello....." by Mike Alfred was written in the context of South Africa's historical and social landscape. Johannesburg, often referred to as "Egoli" meaning "City of Gold," is a city with a rich history shaped by the gold rush, apartheid, and post-apartheid transition. The poem reflects the poet's personal experiences and memories of living in Johannesburg, a city that has undergone significant transformation and growth.
Speaker and Point of View
The speaker in the poem is likely the poet himself, reflecting on his life and experiences in Johannesburg. The use of first-person pronouns such as "I" and "my" suggests a personal narrative, and the intimate details shared indicate a deep connection to the city.
Imagery and Sensory Details
The poem is rich in sensory imagery, evoking the sights, sounds, and textures of Johannesburg and Cape Town. Words like "golden winter days," "torrential white waters," and "great exotic forest doubling as an aviary" appeal to the reader's senses, creating vivid and immersive descriptions.
Symbolism and Allegory
Johannesburg serves as a powerful symbol in the poem, representing not just a physical place but also the memories, experiences, and identity of the speaker. The city symbolizes growth, change, and the passage of time, as seen in the lines "you fashioned and scene-changed / my life." The move from Johannesburg to Cape Town can be seen as an allegory for personal growth and new beginnings.
Sound and Rhythm
The poem is written in free verse, allowing for a natural flow of language and thought. While there is no strict rhyme scheme or meter, the poem's rhythm is established through the use of enjambment and varying line lengths, creating a sense of movement and progression.
Syntax and Lineation
The poet's use of syntax and lineation contributes to the poem's conversational tone and reflective mood. Enjambment is used to connect ideas across lines, mimicking the flow of thoughts and memories. The irregular line lengths and stanza breaks add to the poem's organic and contemplative feel.
Intertextuality
There are no explicit references to other literary works or historical events in the poem. However, the poem can be seen as part of a larger cultural and historical narrative, reflecting the broader themes of migration, identity, and urban life in South Africa.
Conclusion
"Goodbye Johannesburg, Hello....." is a poignant and introspective poem that explores themes of change, memory, and identity. Set against the backdrop of Johannesburg's rich history and the poet's personal experiences, the poem invites readers to reflect on their own journeys of growth and transformation. Through vivid imagery, symbolic language, and evocative storytelling, Mike Alfred captures the essence of leaving behind the familiar and embracing the unknown.
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