Losing parts
the Gestapo went door-to-door
looking for the yellow star
I wonder sometimes if anyone tried rallying
everyone
to wear one
as SAPS goes door-to-door
testing for words in isiZulu
like Inkatha in Boipatong ’92
it reminds me of a Shona friend’s resentment years ago
that the Ndebele in Jozi can pass
and I know how divided we still are
Salimah Valiani is a poet, activist and researcher. Her latest poetry collection is 29 leads to love (Inanna, 2021).