Poetry Bulawayo

After the war on HIV is finally over After Sudan Palestine…have seized to become war zones After the homeless have been sheltered and fed After there is total freedom of speech and expression After every person every country no matter how small and weak determines it’s own destiny After the need for nuclear weapons is long past After hills caves and mountainsides seize to harbor terrorists determined to shed blood and kill for various bogus causes After rape murder and robbery are only referred to in history texts. © mgcini nyoni 2009

The political program was not right Poor people pouted, but were pounded hard And were too hungry to put up a fight But were brave to lament over their dream marred Painfully, months witnessed their falling tears As boarded country buses in town And almost biting each other’s ears Much to the delight of one with the crown Who sat and ate all the pie in the house While the rest pushed for the crumbs on the floor Like desperate, but resolute mouse Eyeing Watching Gnawing – ready to glow Coherent cries kept them coming to queues From Cape to Kadoma to brew their cures © Pentecost Mathe 2009

Its him Romeo His girlfriend from six months ago who is pregnant His girlfriend from two months ago In his cabin His phone is off He missed his date with his girl from three months ago. They are all crying because the girlfriend from six months ago the one who is pregnant Said something About THE NEW START CENTRE

Why is black black? Why is black associated with death? Why is black the last journey from earth? Why should black be the symbol of a curse? Why should black be deadliest snake? Are we the blackest black? How black is black Sunday? How black is black listed? How black is black market? How black is black mamba? How black is black widow? How black is black magic? How black is the black devil ? How black is the black temple? How black is the blackest black man? How white is white snow? How white is the white white wedding? How white is the white collar? How white is the white milk? How white is the whitest white man? Are we the black and cursed? Are we the closest to the devil? Are we the bearers of the curse of Ham? Are we the prodigal sons? Are we the worser half of light? Are we born for slavery? Are we born to be misgoverned? Are we born for dictactorship? Are we born for violence? How blackest is the black?

BEAUTIFUL WOMEN Meditation and disciplining Combine practical ‘hows’ With thoughtful ‘whys’ As they rapture in excitement So does the beautiful women Their beauty does not come From the outside only But combine both outside and inside To make their faces glow and glitter With beauty even in times of trouble Commitment and dignity makes them Enjoy to love and be loved Gives them hope to face any challenges Hope to fulfil their dreams and ambitions As their hearts are peaceful They have no time for gossip And eavesdropping Materialism like most To the extent of selling their beautiful bodies But they have time only To accomplish their mission As beautiful women.

THE TOWN CRIER Here arrives the town crier With interesting tales to tell News from near and far Stories true and false New and old The menu list is brought to the table Before meal starts to enable Tragedies Romance Comedies To be discussed at length Some spiced up by the strength Of a pinch of salt Praises Disapproval Fault All served to your satisfaction If you think you can handle the risks Do come aboard But get ready for the bills And stay alert In case you get stung by the bees For you can never trust the town crier’s tales. © Fortunate Nyahwema 2009

CORPORATE RUNS She wears to attract Clothes more revealing Than concealing Do the talking And he responds By waving car keys And displaying his money This signals the agreement Cooperation unlocks the doors Of their game And they use what they have To get what they want It is survival They claim They chose to call Corporate Runs © Tendai Nhema 2009

Should I or should I not Open the doors of my heart And let him dwell in my soul, And follow his commands? Should I accept this person And let him be the light When I am in darkness? Should I let him comfort me When I am in sorrow? Should I let him Pave the way for me to a brighter future? Or should I close The doors of my heart And him knock until he gives up Should I ignore him And follow the route of the devil And be led to hell? Should I or should I not? © Tendai Nhema 2009

He across the street up and down he went roaming the death streets He never saw it coming

Times I begin to wonder And the feeling within grows fonder But noone has tried to conquer What lies beneath this border As It grows, it stands for itsself No need for any shoulder Without it I aint bolder But it taught me to be a soldier Some came, some come Some still enjoying the doll-drums of the see-saw Some left with words unspoken Still feeling the beat of love inside For one has no life wothout hope Coz has sunk in the world of no love.

TROUBLED How could this be? Am I the only one? Or I am the only sinner on the face of the earth Why do things take this path? Or is it the only path I regret the day I regret the minute I opened my mouth to ask her out After giving her everything she does nothing But spit on my face After giving her attention she does everything to break my beloved heart After years of service A letter of dismissal is what I get Nothing to my name It’s just me and my belongings in a box No matter how much I try trouble always finds its way to me After sowing a thousand seeds In deep trouble I am Where under the sun am I going to get money for my next meal. © Alec Noko Kitumetsi