Here we are
cascading from the edges of clouds,
We are like the wind hovering.
Where we come from or going still remains a mystery.
Here we are
in a world painted by the humming of lips,
conceived in these hazy rhythm and blues.
This is the planet we choose where currency has always been vibrations and frequency.
Here we are burning from within,
like sacrifice on the altar of dreams.
We are descendants of dust and civilians of smoke. Our life is a must, fulfilling what they spoke.
From the masses we are cast,
but can they lock our riches?
Here with our present in the past,
our future will invoke every ounce of truth,
hidden from our youth.
Here we are groundbreaking and shaking.
Whatever is lacking, we are making.
And whenever the ground beneath our feet
can no longer carry us,
We reincarnate Icarus.
But this time, only flying at dusk.
And that explains why we are here.
Siya Dlamini is a poet, storyteller, cultural curator, and arts strategist based in Mbabane, Eswatini. He uses poetry as both mirror and microphone, reflecting the textures of everyday Swati life while amplifying nuanced conversations around identity, memory, language, and becoming. His work moves between page and stage, blending lyrical vulnerability with social commentary, often exploring the quiet tensions between tradition and modernity.
He is the Founder and Director of Umsamo we Culture, a creative hub dedicated to strengthening the artistic ecosystem through programming, partnerships, and knowledge-sharing. Through this platform, he curates Poetry & Acoustics, an intimate live music and spoken word concert series designed to create intentional listening spaces for mature audiences, working professionals, and culturally curious youth. His approach to curation is rooted in experience design, crafting gatherings that feel sacred, thoughtful, and sonically rich.