I Was A Devil's Garden Poem by Thabani Khumalo

I was the Devil's garden - well tendered and of pastures green.
My season was due and I had flourished in purple and in blue.
Skeletally red and my prowess was on the loom.

Pestilence emerged all from a foreign land far,
They invaded my borders and browsed me to the stem
When I had thought, for a while, they'd top dress me and
Leave me for home for there always is a time
For the home sickness to subdue the yearns but,
I was a paradise too good to leave for home.

The faded star faded the hope for the light
And then, it became a big home of desolation and of pain.
On the onslaught of hassles, I didn't think I'd prevail,
So, better by mine than the hand of the foe,
Then I lay on the road. Amen! Today I die.

So long I waited for the dark bus to arrive
To crush my bone before it turned into soul but next,
I rose from the bed under the doctor's care
Hence now I stand twice a broken man.

I was the Devil's garden all flourished and of pastures green.