It’s International Anti-Corruption Day
PNG government’s total disdain for writers & for literature

This Sensitive Woman

Marlene Potoura and newspaperISO YAWI

Dedicated to Marlene Dee Gray Potoura

In my quest for literature, her ink dropped on my way, 
Like molecules of wisdom, falling as the rain
Each gentle droplet reforming as a ripple
Droplet, ripple, wave, heading to the shore

A creative wave of story, poem, insight
An ocean of narrative, and gentle humour,
In her luminous wake, grace and compassion
Shining through the squall, the storm, the loss

In her words I met them, old and young
The creatures of her creative urge
Each one guiding me along the way 
Until, my surprise, I met their owner

A black woman writer in her chair,
The smiling source of all my wonder,
Looked at me and said ‘hello, Mr Polite Fan’
Hit nail on head, alert to Mr Sensitive

As sensitive as the way she writes 
She even taught me some of her style
One single drop of ink at a time
As days go by more ink is added

Eventually a beautiful place created
A place on the mountain peak
Or a place dark deep in the sea
Each word a sceptre in a king’s hand

To build a kingdom from imagination
Fresh words and narratives from a drop of ink
Shaped to be inhaled by eager readers
Framed to belong to each one of us

And as I pen this little piece, this note
I remember the wisdom of this writer
This woman of truth and sensibility
This Marlene from Bougainville

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