The Hat That Echoes Cries Poem by Walani Ndhlovu

No sun sets before a whistle calls
Inviting ears to the hat that echoes cries
With unlinsable eyes that rain oceans drowning the nose
While out still the whistle seeks replies

The crowd absorbs the deflecting sound in the night
Where the only mic is the preacher convening the ceremony
Then the whistle blows again when the sun casts bright
To remind those who forgot to summon

Not only the elders are alert by the whistle
But also hoes and shovels along with their boys
That assist in digging an underground castle
For only the burial takes with it a whistles voice

That whistle is gone come not another
But no sun sets before a whistle echoes skies
As to day it's them, tomorrow it's us, let's go gather
To the house that echoes cries.