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'Yellow leaf' a collection of poems that tap into the issue of mental health

 

Yellow Pages cover
(Ebooks ,2020) 


This month, October, was declared Mental Health Awareness Month by our South African government, with the objective of not only educating the public about mental health but also to reduce the stigma and discrimination that people with mental illness are often subjected to. 

Loyiso Paul Pududu (20) born in Mahikeng but currently residing in Pretoria, a full time Television Production Student, writer, poet at heart and a sheer supporter of mental wellness. He could not have chosen a better time to address mental illness. His first Published book ever, a poetry collection titled Yellow leaf is a solace for those struggling with mental illness and a lament from the author who also had his fair share of struggles when it comes to coping with mental illness more specifically anxiety disorder. Mayo Clinic states that this condition is accompanied by repeated episodes of sudden feelings of intense anxiety and fear or terror that reach a peak within minutes (panic attacks). 

The book has a total of Thirty three poems. The Author sectioned the book into four parts that focus solely on mental health issues. He blended both Shakespeare’s literary style and Contemporary literature to bring a nostalgic sense that nudges the reader, which will most likely be the youth to reflect their present reality and simultaneously maintain the essence of traditional poetry. 

photo by: Ebooks, 2020


The book goes as deep as discussing suicide. The eleven line poem titled first entry, there the author dives into the thoughts of a suicidal person. It portrays the views of an individual who struggles with mental illness, he encompasses  the manner in which they perceive the concept of taking one’s life and how they would repeat it over and over again in the life after this present one and the life after the next one, if it needs be

‘If ideas come I let them and if they don’t i don’t force them” Loyiso said in an interview.

He advices other writers to leave the habit of forcing writing and lives by the motto ‘if it comes, it comes’. He admits that self-publishing his book was not an easy process but it had to be done. The process of writing goes beyond its title ’writer/author’. Writing is not just letters next to each other or just words between spaces. It involves thorough research and when the writing is done, you have to put the word out there about your work by marketing your it.

“Publish it if you want to, throw it away if you want to or just keep it if you are not ready to do anything with it” Loyiso advices fellow writers to listen to their work because a writers work speaks volumes to its composer.

He acknowledges the battle of mental health in black communities, because it is deeply misunderstood in the South African black community. Majority believe that mental health is not a serious medical condition or it is not associated with people of colour. 

“I ask them (the black community) for a self-introspection” he commented.

 “I want people to feel whatever they want to feel” He adviced the reader

Loyiso let out that this book is a reflection of his feelings and putting it on paper is allowing himself to feel whatever he feels, he wants the reader to acknowledge that this book is out to let them know that they can feel whichever way they wish to feel, whether it is a sad or sorrowful emotion, anger, reassurance, consolation or relief.

He believes that with time he will surely grow and he is looking forward to journey of sprouting as a writer. At the moment he is working on getting  Yellow leaf’ as a hard copy because it is currently only available as a digital book. follow Loyiso @loy.writes on Instagram. To get yourself a copy of the book follow the link https://www.kobo.com/za/en/ebook/the-yellow-leaf It only costs R100,71 for a copy. 




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