A collaborative poem: © Ketty Dan-Napwatt and Rebecca Tobo Olul-Hossen | February 2020
Dedication: To the truly faithful.
Together and yet apart
Separated by a need greater than ourselves
Until the dawn when the roosters crow, together we shall be
I yearn for you even then
In our little grass house
Together and yet apart
Furtive sweet moments stolen or so it seems
Early morning’s urgent swims at Loanisiapu with the children
I yearn for you even then
In our little grass house
***
Waiting on arrival
Quietly watching
Unfamiliar yet patient
Expectant…
She disembarks
Unsuspecting and resigned
To an exile imposed
In unfamiliar isolation
***
Together and yet apart
Sweet ripe mango juice dripping down our chins
Walking down past Ilisi and New Castle to pick up ‘Mango Swit’
I yearn for you even then
In our little grass house
Together and yet apart
On the truck driving up Lowanialu with Yasur far below
At the airport leaving Entani for Port Vila
I yearn for you even now
And our little grass house
***
He approaches
As if on cue
To pick up her luggage
Their eyes meet
In that split second
Irrevocable and complete
Two hearts clung and beat
In faithful union.
Ketty Dan-Napwatt and Rebecca Tobo Olul-Hossen are Aunty and niece with one being named after the other’s mother. Passionate about writing, both writers have forged their individual paths exploring poetry, prose and short stories.
This collaborative piece, a first for the love month, is an interweaving of two separate pieces written at different times. Like two women weavers there is rhythm to the art – but instead of using their hands to weave, it is two women putting their hearts and minds together in a fusion of words. Words and imagery flow from their home island, Tanna, making their way onto paper. Both writers have published work in Vanuatu as well as abroad.
