Alex Smith

Karina Magdalena Szczurek, born in Poland, now living in Cape Town is a writer who wears many hats. Although perhaps best known for her writings as literary critic for The Sunday Independent and other publications, Karina is also author of a growing collection of short stories, some published, prize-winning, some unpublished, and surprising! At present her PhD on Nadine Gordimer’s post-apartheid writing is under consideration with a German publisher. Also she is working on an anthology. Karina wrote ‘Inverted Season’ last year in October. When I was preparing this post, I was unsure what colour theme it should have. At the Book SA Blogger’s Meeting at the Book Lounge last night, I asked Karina to tell me her favourite colour. “A kind of dull blue,” she said and pointed to a cushion on one of the Book Lounge’s handsome brown armchairs. So the colours for this post are blues including, hopefully the right dull blue, and brown.

Inverted Season

for André, Anya, Mozart, Salieri and Glinka – my home

through the open window of my study
our furry people covered in raindrops
come in with the rustling of dry leaves

the chilly smell of wind pages
through some of my books
scattered on the sofa

muddy paws leave inverted comments
on my academic ambitions

thinking of home, the other one
across the desert

I drink hot chocolate in October
on an
unusual
spring day in Cape Town