Exodus Poem by Peter J White

“Leave me now, children of my daughter,
Follow the forest paths where the sand
Has few thorns. Listen and run,
Run and listen, the morning sun on your left hand;
See, I have brought you a little way
But already the grey-haired breath
Of my years is upon me. I’ll rest awhile and pray.
At home there is but death.

Limpopo is three days from here,
Cross after dark; there will be a full moon;
When you see that soldiers are near
Hide, be still. Trust no one. Soon
You will be safe. Benji, here is a blanket, a few coins.
Tie Sipho’s shoes. Tie the cash into your clothes.
Sipho, here is water; a little sadza. All I have.
Zimbabwe is an empty calabash but you must live.

Go now. Don’t look back,
No, no, my children, no, don’t cry;
Nkulunkulu will be with you, go,
Goodbye my little ones, goodbye..........”

“Ehh! Ehh! Maiwe, maiwe..............”