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»A Poet's Lament«

by Thifulufhelwi Ronald Ramabulana, November 7, 2007

In a majestic chamber
Of grandeur and splendour
Overflowing with mankind
I saw you, (was it you?)
Cowering under the cold shadow
Of a menacing boulder
Dressed in garments
Of cultural extinction.

You were bloody and tattered
Neglected, barely recognizable
With stretches of blood-smeared confusion
Flowing down your creased face
Your eyes cast down despairingly
As though doom were your eternal mate
Was it really you I saw?

Your lungs were filled with biting dust
Blown up by the golden feet
Of men of great veneration
The rancorous squeaking sound
Of your agonizing panting
Still arrests my mind
As I compel myself to recall
...Was that really you?

I called out your name
To wrest you to attention
And alert you to the scrutiny
Of mankind draped in verve
And to your own presence
My drum went unanswered
Did you recognize yourself
When I yelled like an irate man?

Did you hear my desperate voice
Motherland?
Was it you I saw
Africa?

Written: February 1996
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Published by writerslounge.net on November 7, 2007 under courtesy of the author.


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