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»Skeletons of Heritage«

by Thifulufhelwi Ronald Ramabulana, November 7, 2007

The fearless spear of the African warrior
Turned to meek hoes that till the lands
Of endless servitude with begging hands
His shield duly shined and polished
By the unschooled hands of ignorant curators
Custodians of partisan cultural history

The enchanted victory march refined
Into voices of listless desperation
Powered by corporate globalization
Of brands laced with genocidal intent
Where the landless are designated lepers
And their heritage is banished to ridicule

The headgear of your field commanders
Its fine texture of earthy jackal tail
Lies buried in academic erotica
The leopard skin of your leadership
Is buried in remorseless legal ignorance
Where the law prevails and justice perishes

Your victorious armies and their brave regiments
The sons of wisdom and defenders of your heritage
Lie screaming in market tales fabricated
By enemies they vanquished on the battlefront
While you smile sheepishly in acknowledgement
Of the superiority of your destroyers

The rumbling drums of heritage and pride
Its fine wood cracked at the dawn of your flight
From your detachable shadow
Its grounded ox hide lies screaming
In tanning machines run by the muscles
Of hypocrites who loathe your unadulterated autonomy.

Written: May 2005
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Published by writerslounge.net on November 7, 2007 under courtesy of the author.


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