South Africa: A Place Of Death Poem by Lee John Siebritz

Beautiful landscapes
Beautiful blue seas
Beautiful cities filled with different cultures
That once was evident to you and me.

Now, crime, poverty, racism and aids
Overcomes this land
Once filled with mystery…

A place of death
For its own as well as others.
“ uncle, gee ‘n rand asseblief? ”
“ Antie, ‘n stukkie brood asseblief? ”

Smash! - the car window splits and cracks into bits
The tanned tattered little boy runs away
With a black bag
Filled with mystery.

For the little boy
It is gold that he snatched
But tomorrow or next week
A new form of gold will be captured.

For the defenseless victim
Anger, shock and relief
As it easily could have been
Her blood splattered on the windscreen

Yes, this is what has become
Of a land that once was
Possessed by European- Sun Gods
Now the black baboons
Run the show and all hell
Has broken loose.

No order, no stability, no morals
No rules, no humanity, no peace and no sense of safety…

How we long for the good old days
When we could play outside and enjoy life
Instead of huddling behind closed doors for fear of ending up lying dead in a drain.

This is the reality of South Africa
Where freedom comes at a deadly price.
And for many others who have taken the road.

There is peace but eternal remorse
For family left on the African shore.
Not knowing when one’s family
Can be struck down by bullets, or raped or murdered…

Sadly, South Africa has become the age old saying
Ruthless, vile, animalistic, backward and inhumane…