17 Sep 2024

Former Miss Botswana, Juby Peacock, has added another feather to her cap with the release of her new book, “Chronicles of a Peacock”.

Peacock told BOPA that she was inspired by her late uncle, Christopher Ramsden, who introduced her to the art of poetry.

Peacock, whose journey from pageant queen to published author reflects a deep passion for storytelling, spirituality, and advocacy, said her writing process was deeply influenced by spiritual experience.

She said she often received lines of poetry through dreams or moments of inspiration that come unhidden.

“I can hear a whole poem in a dream, wake up, and write it,” she said

She added that sometimes she could hear a line or a whole paragraph, then write the rest.

She explained that “Chronicles of a Peacock” was organised into seven chapters, each addressing a different aspect of life, spirituality, and human experience.

From praise and worship to poems dedicated to specific individuals, the book covers nature, love, grief, and Pan-African identity.

About what she hopes to achieve through this poetry book, Peacock said readers would find messages of hope, faith, and a deeper understanding of God’s character within her verses.

She explained that much of the book, as drawn from her personal experiences and observations.

She stated that the book openly shared her life’s journey, including her advocacy against xenophobia, human trafficking, and sexual abuse, topics she’s passionate about due to her decade-long career as a social worker.

Having counselled a lot of survivors of sexual abuse and rape, she mentioned that she wanted to capture the depth of their pain and remind readers that survivors were actual people, not just statistics.

She said writing the book, was not without its challenges.

Peacock said she faced emotional hurdles, particularly when writing poems that touched on personal loss, like “The Great Stallion,” dedicated to her late uncle.

“I cried a lot every time I had to write it,” she disclosed.

How she survived through this journey of writing the book, she said, she overcame writer’s block and the emotional weight of her subjects through resilience, prayer, and faith.

After fasting and seeking divine inspiration, Peacock said she completed the final pieces, including two additional poems, “Home” and “Sunflower,” which she describes as gifts from God.

With Chronicles of a Peacock, Juby Peacock not only shares her poetic voice but also invites readers into a space of healing, reflection, and advocacy. Ends