‘From Not Him’ by Wopko Jensma
Read ‘From Not Him’ on page 228 of Seasons Come to Pass. Also read the short biography of
Wopko Jensma provided above the poem.
1. From whose perspective is this poem written? Who is the poem about?
2. Explain what the statements in lines 1-7 suggest about this person.
3. Lines 9-11 introduce a contrasting view on the subject of the poem. How is this
achieved?
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4. This poem was written and published during apartheid, when people in South Africa were
strictly segregated based on their race. If we read ‘From Not Him’ as a kind of protest
poem, what comment do you think the poem is making about South Africa? Your answer
should be informed by your analysis of the poem.