Matshona Dhliwayo Poems

"Tonight, I salute not the sun.
Tonight, I salute not the stars.
Tonight, I laud a hero.
Tonight, I extol a legend.
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"Dear ignorance, I'm disowning you.
Dear knowledge, I'm wooing you.
Dear understanding, I'm seeking you.
Dear wisdom, I'm wedding you.
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"For me to heal,
I need you to heal.
For me to trust,
I need you to trust.
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"When I am around old people,
they think I am too foolish.
When I am around young people,
they think I am too intelligent.
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"I resist racists, not intergrationists.
I resist seditionists, not abolitionists.
I resist propagandists, not journalists.
I resist extortionists, not opportunists.
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"Strength comes from pain, not pleasure.
Strength comes from confidence, not ego.
Strength comes from honor, not titles.
Strength comes from persuasion, not force.
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"To know thyself is to know truth,
to know thyself is know reality.
To know thyself is to know nature,
to know thyself is know creation.
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"If you want concepts, go to school.
If you want truth, go to life.
If you want information, go to school.
If you want facts, go to life.
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"If you want to sing,
sing like today is your last.
If you want to dance,
dance like today is your last.
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'To devalue students, mistreat them.
To impair students, pollute them.
To harm students, abuse them.
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