A FAREWELL TO YOUTH Poem by Musaemura Zimunya

Yesterday it was you
who warmed the drum with your fingers
when you struck the skin.
We, deranged, sang and danced like frogs
our hands touched the blue sky
while our feet sprang in the air
at the moment of our twilight.

Now who would have thought
that this rebirth would be shrouded
and ready for burial:
who would have thought
we would start to fight
against the ghost
of fear?

And deep in the heart of the land
a little bird sings a doleful song
flicking its tail up and down:
Gone back back back!
We have gone back back back!