This fragile city
sandwiched
between mighty ocean
and louring mountain
feels more frangible still
as thick dark descends
shrouding the artificial day
with which we veil our nights
and our night-fears
childlike
Venturing deeper
plunging into and through
this oddly agreeable shroud
I emerge near the dormant lighthouse
emergency light to hand
but extinguished
anguish and exhilaration
battling for dominance
as I probe the meaning
of blackness
Ayesha Kajee is a storyteller, poet and rights activist whose research on governance and democracy in many parts of sub-saharan Africa has been published in various media. Her research interests include post-conflict transformation, socio-economic renewal and gender and environmental rights. She writes because she can’t not.