Rain to the roof
Is mantra to the soul
The soil attests each time
Last night thunder beat
And the pouring song
Led to the river iris’ burst
I cried for my father
For the first time
In twenty-six years
Flood of memories
Trapped widened
I revisited his hospital bed
Saw the raindrops
hanging urine bag
whilst the drip bag dangled
I remembered conversation
And the silver expectorant bowl
I’d rather forget and the phone call
That called the family
Mme Mapheello who sat us down
that Sunday afternoon
Her son passed on recently
The rain refused the diggers
To dig his grave
The soil has had enough
Nthabiseng JahRose Jafta is an International Performing Poet, Singer, Content developer and Creative Strategist born in the Free State, South Africa. She writes in her home language Sesotho and English. Her poems are translated into Spanish, Danish, Mandarin and Braille. She has published 30 publications ranging from Literary journals, Poetry anthologies, Compilations, Novels, Audiobooks and Children books. She is presently a candidate for a Masters in Creative Writing at Rhodes University. JahRose is the deputy president of NWASA (National Writers Association of South Africa)
She is a founder of Poetic Blues Virtual/ Festival: An international platform from poets and musicians. See www.poeticblues.co.za