Storm over the Indian Ocean - Durban, South Africa - © Gerard Pas 2001.

As the waves of despair And inspiration Form over the reef of gold And crash on my feet I look down to see My own blood Sucked back into the sea. Maybe it was a crab or maybe a shark Or maybe I carelessly cut my foot on a diamond. I wonder Whether I should tend to it, or Whether I should have it tended to But I am lost In the middle of my thoughts When I notice how completely My blood disappears Into the brine.

By Christopher Cooper Angell © Written in South Africa. 2002.

Chris Angell sent me this poem while he was working as the Executive Director of CrossPathCulture, South Africa. I first met Chris in New York City during the summer of 2000 where we quickly became friends after working on numerous Non-Profit based “Cultural Programs” with CrossPathCulture, New York. Chris and I traveled to South Africa together in 2001 just as he was setting out to work for CrossPathCulture in Johannesburg, SA: where he has lived until the end of 2003. Our friendship throughout these last years has broadened as we began to share our mutual thoughts on poetry, literature and art. Chris is an excellent “word smith” and I have a great deal of respect for his works of poetry of which I include this somber if not melancholic poem above.

Gerard Pas, April 2001

To read another of Chris Angell's poems

please click on the above image

 © Gerard Pas