Staffrider Vol.6 No.2 1985 - DISA

Andries W. Oliphant Lancelot Maseko David M Makgatorsto wipe the chagrinfrom your faceWn Women's DayYou are the mother of songs who bore meIn the beginning.I read in your black terrestrialAnd magical handsThe immensity of giving your lifeTo kitchen floors and wash-days.You are the mother of dances and happiness.Your faceIs the silentBiography of daily suffering.You are the generous loverThe mother of rivers, trees and stones.You are the mother of all earthly andHeavenly things. ThePoint of reference,The origin of all man.You are the worker, comrade and goddess.You are the mother of grain,The antelopeAnd other animals.I've been with you in broken villages,In dead forestsWe gathered twigs for fire.You are the mother of towns, aircraft and cities.I squat with youOn street cornersTo sell boiled eggs and mealies.You are the source of fish, peanut-bread and meat.I've been with you on the rough ride in the kwela-kwela.You are the mother of songs, since the beginning you haveBorne all man.In your black handsI discern the choreography of mysterious stars.At your callThe earth will riseTo restore you as the mother of all things.Andries W. OliphantII•rOMESTIC MAID,MY MOTHERSharp weapon, my wordswho do I call you mamahow will I explainto your grandchildrenyou're their grannywhen they called you girlright in front of themTo me you'll always be mamathough daily you beam beam beamto cheer the long haired womanwhom you dreadmore than you fear GodWhen you die, rememberthere will be no commemorationno master and madamto bury their good girljust a cluster of fellow maidsand boysand perhaps your relativesfrom the countryLancelot MasekoAVH SALLY MY DEARYour name is like a golden bellhung in my heart.When I remember it, I tremble.Then it swings and rings; Sally . . .Sally . . . Sally . . .Oh! What a feeling.Love me baby.I can't believe that our love is gone.How I miss you,How I need you.But I know, I knowThat on of these goodaysYou will remember me,Need me too.It has been short but fast.But why, why not long and slow.Oh! Sally, you were so kind to me,I don't know what's wrong.You are Moonlight,Starlight, Sunlight,All the lights my eyes need.Let's hope that one day, one night,We shall be at the same boatWhich is love.And let's pray that Modimo knows about us.David M MakgatoWalt oyiSipho ka MtetwaHiWWHO ARE THEY?Moving in the parkI saw a noticenailed to the bench'Europeans only'Who are these Europeansso fortunate to have seatsreserved for themin Africa?Maybe you're rightWalt oyiSipho ka Mtetwa48 STAFFRIDER, VOL. 6 NO. 2, 1985