Roy Joseph Cotton – September 11, '53 – March 10, '85

Roy commenced writing poetry during his latter school years. He read prolifically and was passionate about music and was a devote to Bob Dylan. He wrote many plays or "Musical Paintings" as he called them, and was also busy with two works "Multimythicum" and "Girlpools, Whirpools, and other gusts of Twirling Hair". He wrote from the security of a warm, close family in a comfortable Cape Town (South Africa) suburb. Yet most of his huge output of poems reflect a consuming angst. It was an angst which drove him to search for peace throughout books, music, writing, and religion, and it led to ultimate despair. His highly idiosyncratic way with language and the intense pressure of his emotional and spiritual concerns make his poetry compelling and disturbing reading. His untimely death at age of 31 cut short his promising career as a poet.

Missing You

MISSING YOU

I miss your hairfronds that
used to shine like my
bankrupt candle. My pockets
are as empty as your
voiceless womb which causes
the squirrels to seek shelter
in the frost. Now that
you are gone my windows are tinged
with vintage tears insipid
and grey. I miss
your gentle tongue of hair
and the violent candour
of your cheeks.

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