So Much For Our Wars by Thandeka Gonde

Photo by Resta Nyamwanza

We’ve made our marks on the land

So they know we’re here to stay

We’ve strained our muscles taut

So they see how tough it can get

We’ll tug to the last ounce of strength

To prove how right we are

We’ll make them come to us

Our perspectives are better

We’ll make them cross the line

To prove they were wrong all the while

We’ll not cry like them

because we’ve always been stronger

We’ll tug with a grin on our faces

Because we’re in control

Of just one end of the same age-old rope.

The Half Naked Gardener by Mountjoy Mkhando

I was once a half naked gardener
I planted worms instead of flowers
The owner of the house
was so furious with me
he chased me wielding a stick

And then I went to another house
and there
I was welcome with great gusto
They told me
I was the only man in the house

I thought of planting sperms
instead of green vegetables
I thought of X and Y chromosomes
and the uterus
with a silver lining
I ended up chopping off all tomatoes
that were ripe and selling them
To blind nuns of Sibantukodwa Mission
They showed me their petticoats instead

My employer, seething and fuming
told me to go back
And come back a changed man
"repent at Vundu!"
"repent at Vundu!"

And don't repent at the
Ministry of labour and Social Welfare
Because your father was once a worker
and also used to be an employee at the same place;
that is all I have to say!!
Said the official