Places Found In Fiction Poem by Chirikure Chirikure

Every face encountered
the same question
about places I have been

Only the heart answers
the mouth is feeble, but
what is in the heart fills the granary

all the dreamy faces will still be dreaming
incredulity,
posing more questions of wonder
asking again about where you have
journeyed.

I answer promptly
I was in the land of silent echoes, and
The sands of Timbuctu

They shake their heads like bulls
laughing in mockery as they drink:
such places are only of fiction.

I bow my head
consoling my heart with soothing words:
the blessing in the heart is mine.

Translation by Charles Mungoshi