Cultural Capital: A Poetry Collection

By Ben Pather

This is a literary journey, a testament to resilience and creativity. Cultural Capital: A Poetry Collection unveils different aspects of the author's rich experiences after residing in Africa, Asia and Europe. Three chapters take the reader on a literary expedition while black-and-white photography enriches the dynamic storytelling and journey of self-discovery, self-published in Bern, Switzerland.

Chapter One, Journalism, focuses on topics often covered by mainstream media. Complex conversations relating to immigration, state capture and conflict are presented in a universal, accessible manner. Technology and new media's pervasive influence on society is also discussed. In the book, the author constructs visual poetry, in which stories are creatively shaped, for instance, in the poem Walkman.

Much inspiration was drawn from the natural environment when writing this book. Switzerland's scenic landscape became the ideal setting for such a project. This combined with the remarkable lived experience one can gain from growing up in Cape Town, the Cape Metro in particular. In Chapter Two, Rock Art, concepts linked to nature and the human spirit are brought to life; the poem Resolve exemplifies this well

Increasing awareness of the power of sport became an overarching theme while writing this book. Chapter Three, The Sports Proverb, offers metaphors related to overcoming various hurdles. Sport is one of South Africa's most important forms of capital and helps the country maintain its hegemony on the continent. The poem Fearless was motivated by the 2019 Rugby World Cup while paying homage to that sport and tournament.

Constructing this work offered a form of writing and now reading therapy. Readers can expect a nuanced observation of modern society and different cultures, an innovative narrative of our connection to nature and toward one another, and a profound illustration of the power of sport and the fascinating role it plays in everyday life.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1037028481
• ISBN13: 9781037028489
• Release Date: January 2025
• Publisher: Digital on Demand
• Length: 94 Pages
• Weight: 0.27 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.2" x 5.8" x 8.3"