Borne To Bare Poem by Njabulo Mkandla

I lay down my weapons and fight
I call for the day to be night
I am sophisticated in my way of doing
Simple things

I am borne to bare
All things beautiful but rare
To put smiles on faces
To dance in sweet heavenly places
I am borne to bare

My chariot has lost its coarse at times
My dreams have scared me
My secrets have lost rhythm and rhyme
My race scarred me

I fought many battles: I won
I won many battles I fought
I fought hard to reclaim…
I fought hard to reclaim…

I appreciate the ones whom I love
I paint this small world with love
I dance in sweet heavenly places
I dance, even if only in my heart

(For Women's Day 9 August 2008)