Mzi Mahola

He came down the street
In one hand
Holding a live chicken
By its wings,
In the other
A packet of onions
And potatoes.
...

When I was a little boy
I never questioned why
A solitary path
Led from a poor man's hut.
...

I phoned for an MP
A former bosom friend.
His secretary asked,
In connection with what?
...

Meeting with the Government)



I remember when I was young
There were forests
Where people could not chop,
Lands where their animals
Could not graze
Kuba Yayiyeka Rhulumente.
(Because it belongs to the Government)
It perplexed me
That this unseen man
Could own so much
Command more respect than God.

One day over a ridge
Emerged people riding
And men of our village
Took to their heels
And vanished in a forest.
Grandpa a retired teacher
Had remained dignified
On his ancient chair near the kraal.

The party sauntered
Through our property.
With granny and children of the house
We came to sit next to him
Watched the horses
Deposit their luggage
Near the kraal,
Grandpa was a big man
But was dwarfed by the White man
Whose stomach made him look
Like a full-term python.
They were all clad in khaki
Shiny brown boots
With legwear
Hats like tortoise shells
Swords dangling on their sides.




I don't know what they talked with grandpa,
After they had gone
He told us
YayinguRhulumente..
(It was the Government)

For many months after
People remained perturbed.
...

There was stormy panic
When the police came
To round up polltax defaulters.
Once more the knowing forest
...