Outside,
Where rivers meet
And streams mingle
Across alien lands
Where mountains shadows share
And horizons’ peaks wail
Drenched in valleys
Running red with blood
Others remain
Waiting their turn to return!
Outside,
Where hyenas howl after prey
When sunlight day divorce
And night matrimony sues.
Beyond the oceans
Where seas swirl and riot
Now a gale
Now a hurricane
Whipping grief
Inaugurating graves,
Others remain
Askance after re-union
With “kith and kin”
The brave’s grave
Is beside the road
so our elders taught
A wisdom to treasure
To reject or enact.
The deed is done!
The sacrifice and cleansing
Are behind us
After the ordeal
Our dearly departed deserve
Their place in the sun
And the shade
This time.
Makhanda Senzangakhona is the nome de guerre and pen name for Paul Oupa Serekele Ramachela. The author has retained the use of both names because he does not wish to be lost to his comrades nor become an alien to his family, and relations. Previously published poems, short stories and other narratives have appeared in the following publications, amongst others, Staff Rider, Rixaka, Mayibuye, Mrabulo and Black Letter Media-Poetrypotion.
The author has served in various roles in and outside SA; until recently he was a senior public servant