The Chronicles of a Peacock- written by Juby Peacock
The book poignantly explores the grim realities of life, drawing from Peacock’s experiences and broader life reflections. It is a collection of poetry and prose about Juby Peacock’s life. The book addresses critical issues she fervently advocates for and social issues she has passionately championed including mental health, inclusion of people with disabilities, against xenophobia, and human trafficking, and poems under specific themes including to celebrate specific icons and individuals who have impacted the world including former President of the Republic of Botswana Sir Ketumile Masire and health advocate for UNAIDS Professor Sheila Tlou, the themes of identity, pan- Africanism, faith, love and nature. A multifaceted individual, Juby Peacock who is Miss Botswana 2004, also a dedicated social worker, motivational speaker, emcee, poet, scholar and preacher.
My journey as a writer
I started writing songs at around 10 years old. I had a scrap book where like most teenage girls at the time I would write popular R&B songs in it. However, I also started writting my own original songs. And even though I had not studied music professionally I hummed the songs and got a melody for them and would often sing them at talent shows. I also wrote short stories which were never published. I got awards all throughout primary, junior secondary and senior secondary school for English and literature. I also got awards and recognition for essay writting. I stumbled upon poetry. It was not something that I set out to do. I was introduced to poetry as a child by my uncle Chris. His recitals by the fire in Xhana (our lands) opened my imagination to the world of poetry and a love for words. However, it wasn’t until I started attending Poetavango Spoken Word Poetry shows in Maun, Botswana and becoming a member of the collective that I caught the poetry bug. Poetavango was a dream for me. I was surrounded by great minds, creatives, wordsmiths, and musicians every week. They specialized in different subjects ranging from blackness, the liberation of Africans in the continent and the diaspora, justifying revolutions in history, politics, love, worshipping God, and folklore. We also had the opportunity to interact with the most refined international poets. It challenged me to explore topics that I am passionate about. This gave me a sense of purpose.
The gift of poetry
I have come to realize that God is in every detail of our lives. As an intercessor, I have had the privilege of being awakened in the middle of the night by the Holy Spirit to pray. I have also had the pleasure of hearing poems and songs in my dreams. All I had to do is wake up and write. In some instances, I have also heard the Holy Ghost whisper certain words about a poem before I would commit to writing it. However, some poems came to me as a rhythm, a melody and some even a song, particularly the love poems and the poems about nature. It comes naturally to me to write about nature because the Ngamiland and Okavango regions in Botswana exposed me to untamed wildlife. I pray that this will not be my last contribution to the literary arts. I leave you with this verse from Proverbs 25:2, “It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings to search out a matter.” That is our purpose as poets.
Education background
I studied Social Work at the University of Botswana and Governance Development and Public Policy at the University of Sussex in the UK.
