Near death experience inspires poetry anthology

Glenwood’s Angela Chetty, was entering the prime of her life, when illness struck a decade ago. Today the confident human resources manager has written a book of poems, Heartfelt Moments – A Treasure Trove, which will will be launched this Sunday at Conquering Through Prayer Church in Sherwood.

Angela recalled dabbling with poetry as a student whilst studying psychology and labour law but didn’t give it much thought after her studies were done. “Poetry was definitely a dormant passion of mine. My mum taught me how to read when I was four years old. As a child I had a photographic memory so it really opened my mind,” she said.

Angela said her life changed in an instant in 2001 while living a very successful life in Centurion. “I was rushed to hospital with severe pains and had to undergo investigative surgery. The surgeon snipped my intestine during the surgery and after the surgery I contracted pneumonia,” she said.

Angela was in ICU and hospital for more than a month and had to undergo constant blood transfusion. She was also kept on a ventilator as she had suffered massive trauma to her body. “My life changed from being a sporty gym fanatic career woman with a demanding schedule, to having to learn how to walk and eat again. I was lucky to have my mum take care of me during my three month recovery,” she said.

While still in hospital she recalled a poignant conversation with her surgeon that changed her life. “He told me I needed to be kind to my body and that I had been through the impact of someone who had run 10 Comrades marathons. Then he said, “The only reason you are here is because of your faith. We lost you in surgery and you miraculously came back,” she said.

Since then Angela has looked at life differently. “It was a tough and taxing journey to recovery and I now appreciate the important things in life!”

“I have a greater appreciation for the simple things like getting up in the morning and seeing the sun shine. The experience has made me see life in perspective,” she added.

A friend told her to write down her thoughts to process the challenging experience and that’s when Angela started using her passion for poetic rhetoric. “I started writing poems about my life experiences and journey as well as inspirational poems. After my mother died in 2011, I was more determined to complete the book. My hope is that people will be motivated and inspired by these words of encouragement.”

The theme behind her poetry is ultimately the celebration of the gift of life as well as spiritual, love, politics and nature. Two poems, The Beauty of Life and Gift of a Father were recognised in international poetry competitions.