Come Into My Room Poem by Nkululeko Mdudu

Come into my room
It’s not the best room in the street
It’s the best room in the neighbourhood
Don’t be afraid of the four walls that surround it
They ensure that no stray dogs come in here
Here is my favourite street
It is paved with wood and fabric tar
This makes it soft and keeps it warm
So enter and do not be afraid
Trust in me to protect you

Never mind the speed bump in the centre
Of my street
It has not been subject to cars, nor have there entered
Any drunken feet
The covers keep it nice and neat
While the pillows give it comfort
I’ve made some snacks so we can eat
My pavement makes cooking eggs worth the effort

Come into my room
It has no street name, no address
But it is available to whom
That is willing to undress
Only their coat though, for me to hang
On the hook behind the door
But for you I’d pour a drink with but a tang
Then turn down the lights so we could do more
Than just talk and eat
I’d turn on some music and glance
As you kick the shoes off your feet
Then you’d get on the floor and start to dance

The purpose is to make you relax
Have some fun so you could be
Free from worrisome strains of time and tax
And stay a while with me.

My street is a dusty grovel floored room, I say
My room is a four walled street with a wooden gate
My love I invite you to come in and stay
We’ll not call it dinner; we’ll not call it a date
We’ll call it a visit or a walk down bedroom lane
We’ll call it time as sweet as sugar cane

Speaking of which, I think I see your father
You’d better decide now, on this painted by the moon
Go home to your own street or would you rather
Come with me into my room.