The ragdoll
Inspired by the South African poet, Ingrid Jonker.
Ingrid Jonker was an esteemed South African poet. She was a tortured soul who grew up in a broken home. Just like the famous poet, Sylvia Plath, Ingrid died by suicide. At barely 31 years old, in 1965, she walked into the ocean at Three Anchor Bay, Cape Town, and died by self-inflicted drowning.
She wrote a famous poem in Afrikaans titled Die lappop (ragdoll). I decided to rewrite it in my crazy way.
I am the ragdoll
You threw away
On the rubbish dump
Look at me now
Mister
I am the queen now
Sitting on my throne
All the broken things
Come alive
When I wave
My magic wand
They dance with joy
For I am the ragdoll
You threw away carelessly
On the rubbish dump
Look at me now
Mister
You didn’t know
I was more than just
A raggedy little doll
Magic is my fortune
With my glittery
Magic wand
I create your wishes
Right here on
The rubbish dump
Where you threw away
Your only chance
To riches and fortune
I am the ragdoll
Namaste
Emotional and moving words. Thank you for the translation! Love, V.
Nelson Mandela's reading of her poem, "The Child is not Dead," in his state of the nation address in 1994--in reference to the Sharpeville massacre, calls to mind Obama's singing of "Amazing Grace" during his 2015 eulogy for Clementa Pinckney. Your translation of Jonker's poem was a revelation forcing me to learn more.