Prisoners Poem by Isaac Maliya

Are different
Stricken by diarrhoea
Pinned down by dysentery
Inmates’ torture and tyranny
Breathing their last
With nobody’s care
These are prisoners.

Are different
Capital offence detained
Through false prophets
Mere multiple suspicion
Pick-pocketing lads
These are all prisoners.

Are different
Warm-handed tippers
Of hard-hearted hawks of order
Others succumbing to hunger
Leaving and entering criss-crossingly
These are prisoners of “Primeira Esquadra”.

Dedication: To all prisoners

Tuesday,9th May 1995
Nampula, Mozambique.