He Killed A Man Poem by Thabani Khumalo

THEN HE KILLED - - HE KILLED FOR ROSE -
CROSSED HIS SOUL SHOT HIM DOWN,
HE SHOT HIM DEAD AND DRAGGED HIM DOWN
THROUGH THE TREES UNDERNEATH THE BRIDGE -
THE BRIDGE OF STEEL TO A SHANTY TOWN
AND BURIED HIM FROM THE LAWMAN'S EYE
AND NEVER, NEVER MADE MENTION OF HIM AGAIN.

THE MAN HE KILLED, HE KILLED ALONE;
FOR ROSE TO LOVE HIM ALL ALONE -
ALL ALONE FOR ROSE WAS FAIR,
UNLIKE ALL THE GIRL IN THE HOOD.
HOW BADLY KEEN YOUNG LOVE CAN BE
THAT ALL ALONE HE SHOT HIM DEAD.

THE LOVE HE GAVE WAS HARD AND COLD.
ONE NIGHT HE ROSE AND PACKED HIS BAG
AND LEFT ALONE, ROSE IN HER BED
AND WENT AHEAD AND SOLD HIS SOUL
FOR ROSE WAS ILL AND DEAR TO HEAL.
THE SUNLIGHT DAWNED AND ROSE WAS DEAD.