ART STUDIO
‘Botswana Dreaming’ is a poetic children’s book inspired by a dream I had after a transformative trip to Botswana. The narrative of the poem follows the story of a young girl who in her sleep, drifting in a boat, is taken by an ancestor on a memorable journey. The magic that happens when she is able to sit on the back of a giant Marabou stork flying across the Okavango Delta, how she got too close to the Hippos and Crocodiles. On her journey, the young girl meets up with a family of Elephants and Baboons.
The paintings that accompany the poem have created a beautiful poetry picture book.
As well as the book, a workbook full of interesting facts, and projects to try will be created as a learning aid and links beautifully with the young girl’s adventures in the poem ‘Botswana Dreaming’.
A percentage of the proceeds will go towards a selected charity in Botswana.
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'I calmed, and floated by all the wonderful animals in the Okovanga delta
Slipping through hoops of the reflected reeds and night scented lilies'
Sliver Birch with tickling light
On dainty leaves
Dances
The sun strikes and you are
Strikingly bright amongst a dreary
winterscape
There for the tapping a month
before the spring
Of a rich and healthy nectar
For the shelter of a sweet song
bird
Into the blue
That's you
Kind and clever
As ever
​
Oh how you are missed
But into the blue
You insist
Paradise lost is she
And into the blue
Must be
Forever more
Leaving the shore
And into the blue
You persist
Swimming amongst turtles,
Mantas and fishes
Into the blue
True are your wishes
Following dolphins and a great white
One would think fright you might
But not
Little you
Ecstatic in the blue!
Are you looking or seeing?
Are you hearing or listening?
Are you trusting, your feelings
The joy of it, the hurt
Are you noticing
The light?
The light on a leaf, through a leaf
The winter berries, like jewels (dazzling) glimmering on a breeze
On water, in water
The sound on water, in water
The water in between
At first light the water in between petals and blades of fresh green grass
Hearing the shapes of autumn leaves as they crisply slide past one another as you shuffle your way through childhood memories
Hearing the sweet chirp of birds near and far
embracing the light before it fades too early
In winter
That’s my favourite rose,
Well actually
This is the one I love the most
…but my favourite is that one
The absolute best scent comes from this rose, the ultimate rose
I could die for this rose and the only reason to live is for this rose
The other one, there…. the petals…If it wasn’t for that rose, well
This rose is outrageous
Don’t you just love the delicacy of this rose, the colour, the blousyness and heady scent of this rose just drives you wild, it must be my other favourite
Anyone would love it
Well did I say I have a favourite rose
You wouldn’t believe it if I told you…. It’s impossible to say
Whose nose?
Who knows?
Which rose!
What an old dog
This old dog
Taught me this
Taught me that
Never judged me
Or made a comment
On how I wear my hat
Helped me take the time to think
To appreciate all that life itself can bring
Showed true love, kindness, understanding and devotion
How to be slow
How to grow
How to grow old
How to be patient
What an old dog
This old dog
My old dog