Long Before Poem by Phillip Nine Mafunga

He ran through thistles
Barefoot dancing his way over thorns
Butt naked; cared less
The world watched and blinked
Instead grined and abated its breath
As his muscles contorted for the kill
Which he then carried up the hill
Descending downhill for the home stretch
Mothers, grandmothers and sisters ululating
He knows he has come of age
An array of damsels are reading themselves somewhere for him
He can now carry the spear in defence of his people
In his strong arms there's power to kill or be killed
That was he then: have they not killed him before he even has died?
PHILLIP NINE MAFUNGA
3 December 2024