UMALASI NOMHLAMBI WAKHE Poem by Mbuyiseni Oswald Mtshali

Imisebe yelanga
ifana nembaxambili yesikelo
sisika isibhalala
sentathakusa esibhakabhakeni.

Umalusi omncane
uqhuba izimvu zikabasi wakhe
ezikhipha esibayeni
ezelukela eqeleni.

Izinyawo zakhe ezingacathulelwanga
zikhahlela utshani
zichithe amazolo
njengamadayimani
esetafuleni lomsiki.
Izinyane lidukela kude
likhangwe ubukhazikhazi
basekuseni behlobo;
Inqama
ithethisa imvukasi
"Mfazi! Mfazi!
Qaphela ingane!"

Ilanga lishaya amaphiko
ezihlandla ezivutha salangabi
likajongilanga.

Uqhwakela esidulini sezintuthwane
ukushaya igekle lomhlanga,
ashayele indesheni
izingane zomlimi
ziya esikoleni
abuze sengathi uyaphupha,
"Maye! Wesihlakaniphi seLanga laphezulu,
Uyongiqhuba nini
nami ngiye esikolweni na?"