Once A Farmer Poem by Phillip Nine Mafunga

ONCE A FARMER
Snaking through deep gorges
With its back glistening under the scorching sun
Ignoring the bare rock and sandy banks along the way
The Kasambabezi races its waters into Kariva dam in silence

Anglers in all sorts of vessels, rich and poor
Some, for sport and some for sustenance,
They brave the unforgiving sun and ride the silent waters
As the sun auburns out in the west, everyone must head home for the night

The croc farmer is a friend
Well, I wonder what he tells his mother regarding is job
Even the village elders back in Cheziya
Knowing what ‘nduru yegarwe "mean to our people

Still, on the western bank of the river
Cast he, expanses of ponds infested with crocs
That he calls ‘farm"
Well, back in the village, farm is completely different from this

Whatever that is, I know he is doing great
In his business that none of us villagers has ever dared dream of
I can see success written in his lacerated body and soul
For a man must suffer for the good of his family and posterity
@05 December 2022