Charles Mungoshi Poems

We rarely talk now.
Between us
the children are quite happy
playing Indians and Cowboys
...

It is always very hard
to have or to find something to say.
if you honestly tell the others
...

You should have remained
hidden in the shadow of the tree
your hand raised at half-mast
(undecided whether to cover or not
...

Now there won't be any need
to tell our children
about the history of the struggle
of our gallant people's fight
...

In our land
We found a bird
that sings.
A bird
...

He would have been one of the oldest inhabitants
of the territory, this dove, his ancient claws
now turned into dull grey prongs.
...

Now your body begins
to preach its own truth
the truth you have tried
...

Before I started out here
My father said:
Do you need to go all that way
...

Put a handle
To these things
But do not let
the handle
rot in your hands.
...

freezing cold night
only the continuous
eerie screech-buzz whistling
...