Flowers for the broken hearted
The ones whose souls are wandering between realms
Flowers for the ones whose innocence was taken away
The very ones who watch the perpetrators live their best life while they are stuck trying to find themselves in a not-so-understanding society
Flowers for all mothers who gave birth but had no baby to take home
The ones whose hearts were broken when they took the fall for how their bodies failed them
Flowers for all the children who are forced to become adults
For adults are busy acting like children
Flowers for the depressed
The ones who exist but are not living
Flowers for the dreams shuttered, the spirits broken
Flowers for the life lived and the triumphs along the way
Flowers for the light for it cannot be acknowledged outside of the presence of darkness
Flowers for the sinking society
Whose people are dying and their screams are not heard
Flowers for you, for no matter where you are in life…you are still here and you matter!!!!
PS: I wrote the poem at the “Airmail Letters to the Dead” writers’ workshop. The prompt was “flowers for”
Jane Mpholo is an award-winning multidisciplinary artist, entrepreneur, and changemaker from Botshabelo, South Africa. As CEO of Jane Mpholo Pty Ltd, she is pioneering work in theatre, film, and site-specific performance art. The first recipient of the CCIA’s “Outstanding Actor in Theatre” award, she has performed, written, and produced for national and international stages. Honored with two honorary awards from Onalerona Productions NPC and the Southern Region Women in Media Awards, she is a mentor, producer, and advocate for inclusivity. Through bold storytelling, she sparks important conversations, shaping the performing arts landscape and inspiring change worldwide.
