Staffrider Vol.3 No.4 Dec-Jan 1980 - DISA

Poetry786/Monnapule Lebakeng, Senzo Malinga, James Matthews.THE DYING GROUND . . .The elephants cameand brought with thema crookery of Godand brotherhood,took our verdant landwith gunpowder and psalmsand proclaimed a covenantin his name.Today, the fetters bite deepercruelty is resolute,genocide defined.Beyond Azania,black children eat manhoodfrom bloody potsand freedom is sownwith the seeds of valiant menThe harvest is bitter for the settlers and now,the last exodus gathers frenzy.The trail points Southwardto the last outpost(a haven to their whiteness).And like elephants,sensing the final hourthey hurry to the sacred sand(our conquered land)But let them comeO let the white elephants draw near!Illustration,MogorosiMotshumiWhat would be their refugeWill yet becomeTheir Dying Ground . . .786/Monnapule Lebakeng(It is known that elephants, when sensing that deathis near, walk for thousands of miles to a special 'dyingground' where they lay themselves down withoutfood or drink until they die . . . )AT WAR WITH THE PREACHERMANMy armful of goat skinsCaptures the eyes of the preacherman;I meet him on the shop verandah.He tells me I have to changemy evil ways;I go home curisng,Declaring war against the preacherman.Later he comes to my placeAccuses me of deflecting peoplefrom the right way to Heaven;I in turn call on my godsTo deliver their godly angerupon this insolent preacherman;For I do not liveThat I may go to Heaven,But that I may have supper tonight.Senzo MalingaTRIP TO BOTSWANAi had a tasteof freedomthe first cautious sipcausingan unexperienced delight ofsensesmy soul outpaced the girdedwingstransporting me from forcedconfinementmy soul welcomed myarrivalit stilled my tremblingfleshas a woman and man embracedthough their colours were incontrastno hostile hand ripped themapartlove blossoming on theirfacesmy eyes became an eagerspectatorto the manifestations offreedomwhere within my captivity i wasdeniedfilled with the fruit offreedommy return holds nofearof the horror of myslaughterhouseJames Matthews20 STAFFRIDER, DECEMBER 1980/JANUARY 1981