I remember the first time I saw her, I was in awe of her boldness. She didn’t have to speak to make her presence felt, only carry herself; carry her pure soul in that way that commands respect. I was yet to find out what it was exactly that made me so attracted to her energy. That was in 2012, and I was a first year in college. Amy Vimbai Chauke, what a gem!
Throughout the course of my first year, I’d occasionally bump into her but never have a conversation with her, it was the simple, “hey”, “nodding of the head or simple wave that we exchanged and I knew there was something about her that was calling out to me. In my second throughout the rest of my college life, I’d find myself in her presence each time I went to visit our friend, Chloe (continue to rest in peace angel, we love and miss you).
Amy and Chloe shared a lot of things in common, but if there is one thing I loved the most, it was how brave they were. From their bold hairdos to their unusually beautifully clothing ensembles, only they could rock those looks and own them and I loved to see it.
We were friends, but it wasn’t until after college that I truly found comfort in the warmth of her presence. And as that friendship grew, I found out it was Poetry that drew me to her, and through the tales she had to say I had to tell nothing but truth in her presence. Cleanse myself in her purity, for she could never judge. Her loving embrace always cheers me up like it did the first time I sought comfort in it.
It took having her perform at my book launch to find out that she was my grandmother, my father’s mother is a Chauke, and even the one who inspired me to write, my father, marveled at the way she delivered her lyrical content in poetry form. And upon further investigation after her performances, he simply said; “aah mother, Kokwana wa xisati to my children, it is an honor to meet you. In that moment, I knew it was home that had called out to me all those years ago and I smiled, I had truly found my tribe.
14 May 2020 she got to fulfill her lifelong dream by being on radio, and I know it was nothing short of magical. I dedicate the following piece to her, live long granny and may your verses continue to inspire, provoke and comfort. I love you always and I am proud of you. I call her my Khaleesi, I hope this let’s you know why and if you know what this date means to me, well; help me praise God for this soul.
Tell me child
I pray you get to hear her pray
Lord;
Let them hear her pray
Naked truths she spits
Her veracity ferocious like fire
OH Lord,
Amy spits fire!!!
Channeling the soul of Miss Scott
Solange’s candour she embodies
Lord;
I pray you bless them
Let them see my grandmother pray
Her chords scorching like raging flames
Setting tongues aflame with confessions
Tell me child,
Have you;
Heard my grandmother pray?
Drenched in her blessing
She cleared my paths and
Blessed my ways
In the glory of her purity I stand
Sincerest love I’ve ever known
Mother’s touch resembles this
Gogo’s lines
Forever
My favourite hugs.
I love you Gogo.
Novelty Ink 