Crossing The Ancient Paths Poem by Phillip Nine Mafunga

I decided to take a midday stroll
To catch the smell of the winter sun
Unfreezing my mind, setting my thoughts on an easy roll

The beauty of the newest city in the land
Yet dulled by the remnant of nature
That even in death row, still wave its magic stand

The modern potholed road, crisscrossed by those of the ancient
The smell of dung and urine; spoor, telling a story of a life in the wild
Adrenalin, heightened senses and death lurking in the dark of the noon sun

In the brush, the giant trumpeter seen only by trained eyes
Women with babies strapped on their backs, showing me the danger therein
The excitement of having the past and present cross paths in the now

For many, it is a sight worth dying for
For us, a life worth dying to protect
Even as they take charge of our streets at night fall
Elephants, buffalos, leopards, hippos, beauty non-conformed
25 May 2021