Rethabile Masilo: lerato

lerato

©2008 Rethabile Masilo

you left for work
without a word/
I just felt nuts,
smoking the cleft
of day/ a bird
is caught by time
till twilight wraps
my thought and
feathers fly home/
so I feel nuts
again, then you
tap the padauk
door which I go
to open with
the other hand.

Nemeses

©2008 Rethabile Masilo

The main thing is to
disparage no one
among the freshly
chosen ilk. Let the
old carry their poise
in ageless stance and
stolid gaze—we will
learn from each and each
from all, as the wheel
turns to meet the
coming of the storm.
 
And in fine, British
tailored suits worn over
the philosophy
of the East, you faced
guns and fire from
enemies, spent your
gift fighting nemeses.
Each message captured
us that came from you,
Hani, Sobukwe,
and Fischer, too—
 
[Anyone need to
make amends!] If their
words are well-meaning
but pale, we shall help
them paint vocal works
of art with a-cappella
hues, and sounds.
But then, before we begin,
1 by 1, I'm gonna have to
ask my people if we can.

Africa America Jamaica (thinking of Stephen and Geoffrey)

©2008 Rethabile Masilo

In the hollow cost of the sea you sailed across
you rebuilt you grew strong you get reverence from me—
you’re strong for passing through that storm
 
Let our voices carry the weight of the world
let us fathom Africa where the colours of the world began
life in its leanest and most magnificent form
the roar of the beast
the fall of the empire
the wail of the islands across the sea
 
Life written in the greenness of the trees
in the cleanness of the air that we breathe
 
Now, what shall we talk about
that is the beauty of us three, that binds us
in isosceles brotherhood?

[click to view introduction]