Ohh Democracy!
Look what you've done to us
They said we should vote for them,
they lied to us
...
Even if you live and love a lavish life, you can't buy life,
life is life, life is love, live and love!
adore life, cherish life, love life.
...
Even after so many years, the fear, anger and hatred you inflicted on us persists,
you were like prayer feeding on our souls,
I can still see all the alienation and bitterness in your eyes,
even when you talk, maltreatment prevails,
...
This poem is for those who are hopeless,
is for those who are jobless,
is for those who are friendless,
is for those who are prayer-less,
...
Even today, I still associate love with pain!
How can one claim to love yet hurts another?
How can one claim to love yet deceives another?
Doesn't love breath?
...
I always thought with time; I'd get better.
Thousands of nights pass by
Thousands of days,
years, decades and look!
...
A nation's voice, a democratic right
A chance to choose, a future in sight
The ballot box, a powerful tool
...
I am not a writer nor a poet either,
but having to meet someone like you,
I am encouraged to write,
write every moment; yes!
...
Your absenteeism brings sorrows, pains and hunger,
even the earth itself mourns your anger,
your absenteeism brings agony, misery and danger,
even those who plough mourns your absentia.
...
Mlungisi Ngomane was born in White River, Mpumalanga province, in 1998. He is an undergraduate student currently pursuing a Bachelor's degree in education with the University of South Africa, with English as one of his major subjects. He's encouraged to write poems and short stories, as he claims to find peace every time he holds a pen. His short story, 'I Am Dying for Love, ' and other pieces of his work have been published by the Fundza Literacy Trust and Avbob Poetry. You can follow his work on social media platforms like Facebook and YouTube, respectively, as Mlungisi Ngomane.)
Democracy
Ohh Democracy!
Look what you've done to us
They said we should vote for them,
they lied to us
Yes! they did, they said they'll protect us,
they never did, instead they steal from us.
They even introduced black empowerment,
just to steal from us, yes they do,
there's no roads but potholes,
there's not electricity but load shedding,
there's even blood shedding.
Guns, Guns everywhere!
They can't even protect us.
Children missing everywhere,
Police men taking bribes,
They are leading us to nowhere!
Look! Blood, blood everywhere
Yes, there's blood everywhere,
blood of innocent souls everywhere,
they can't even protect us.
they can't even protect our borders,
maybe there are no orders,
do I have to even mention graduates without jobs?
Ohh people of colour, open your eyes,
before it's too late,
Let us vote for change.
Not having money shouldn't be an excuse for not helping others
Not having money shouldn't hold you back from helping others!
If improving myself means sacrificing relationships & friendships, so be it!