Before the printed word was the oral tradition of the minstrel, the troubadour, the travelling player, the wandering prophet or griot, the magician. Words are made to be spoken out loud, especially when they are crafted for expression with sound and senses involved. This is the power of true spelling. This is the nature of poetry, to conjure and invoke feelings, memories, atmosphere, magic

This compilation of poems is a result of ten years work since leaving Africa. It shares the journey, from memory and loss into discovery and new voice. The writing is mostly chronological and is taken from the eight anthologies Bart has created since his departure from Zimbabwe in February of 2003.

The spirit of time and place connects us, influences our memories. Not only that but specific and historic events write themselves into our collective psyche. These poems are all directly connected with that. Evoking the atmosphere and impressions that the traveller in this world and beyond collects, the words written here tell of the exotic and familiar, of continents and cities, locations and the journeys undertaken. They have a universal voice.