Tears of the Son
©Tanatswa Nyamayaro & Liberty Taruvinga
1
The Hub of Positivity
©Tanatswa Nyamayaro & Liberty Taruvinga 2021
Cover design by Creative Ideas
Type set by The Hub of Positivity
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced,
stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise,
without the prior permission of the publishers.
ISBN 979 8 618 851 631
2
About The Authors
Liberty Tatenda Taruvinga was born in 1999 in Harare.
Growing up, he was fascinated with soccer and this interest led
to some early exposure to reading since he was drawn to stories
related to the beautiful game. During his Advanced Level Mr.
Taruvinga, developed a penchant for ideas and literature, not
least of all poetry. He firmly believes that poetry can transform
the world, and he hopes it can inspire and empower people to
achieve greater social mobility. When he is not writing, Liberty
spends most of his time reading. An admitted football
aficionado he feeds his addiction to football by watching
Manchester United matches. Tears Of The Son is his debut
novel.
Tanatswa Nyamayaro, born in 2001, was born in Harare.
Growing up, he was drawn to art and was an avid reader,
owning an Oxford dictionary at Grade 3. He ventured into
public speaking at school and became a Junior Member of
Parliament at only fifteen years. As the co-author of this
anthology it is his first publication.
3
Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge Kudzai Gwatidzo for
her involvement in the poem Dilemma. She proved not only
helpful in that but also in the whole book itself giving her much
needed advice. Our respective families for allowing us to burn
the midnight oil as we worked tirelessly on this book. The list
goes on and each one who took part in this is appreciated
Dedication
For those who smile with tears in their eyes.
4
Table of Contents
Desire
7
Monalisa
8
The Vulture
9
Dear Lover
Once upon a life
Silver Lining
Emotional Roller coaster
Daily Bread
Letter to Tatenda
To days gone by
The untold story of Pomona dumpsite
Now is the time
An improbable dream
Servant of sorrow
To Kill a phoenix
Calm after the storm
Sunshine City: The ailing giant
Elizabeth
Far from love
Million miles from reality
Lamentation: The wailing child
Doom and gloom
Moon-lovers
Tears of the Son
Melancholy
I was there
A tale of withered flower
Never say never
Dilemma
Hope in the Son
Immortal chemistry
10
11
12
14
15
17
19
21
23
25
27
29
30
32
34
36
38
40
42
43
44
45
46
48
50
51
52
53
5
Back stabber
A dozen tears
54
55
Love Shouldn’t hurt
56
6
Desire
S
he smiled at me
And I knew no reason
I smiled back
She took two steps
She fluttered her eyelids like a butterfly
And my heart bellowed like a bull
She kept on coming closer
As did my heart beat faster
Then she looked straight into my eyes
Blew me away!
I slumbered into an oblivion
She massaged my heart
And as I groaned in pleasure
She ripped it out of me
For all and sundry to see.
7
Mona Lisa
T
he deep gaze held by those eyes
That shine more than light
The living marbles that gives
Promise and are full of life
The way they visualize the distance
A million dreams held high within
The deep blue seas of life
That quench every heart's thirst
And quell every desire
That smile that stops my brain
And I drift into dreamland
Where that smile is a fortress
A place where all my fears are null
In the shadows of that smile
Offers safety to a rogue heart
It’s a shower of hope and fulfilment
A dream come true to those who believe
The smile melts all my doubts and fears
It gives renewed hope!
8
The Vulture
T
he vulture flew high up
Talons drawn out
Beak red with blood
Swooping around
Scurrying for more prey
The men cheered as the vulture touched down
Its large feet trudging the ground
It blew the men's heart away
And they cheered the vulture on!
The vulture raised its head high
Its featherless legs moved provocatively
And the men went wild with joy!
In the blink of an eye
The vulture dipped its sharp talons on a man
And flew high with him
Fate was decided
He was to be devoured
He screamed with pain but it was too late
The people down jeered
Another night, another victim
9
Dear Lover
I
wanted you to miss me
To call out my name
To look into the crowd
And wish to see me again
I wanted you to love me
To hold me close
To save me from this horrid world
And lift me to dream land
You left me only wanting
For you left and never returned
10
Once Upon A Life
W
ould you believe
What we would have become?
As younger souls
Holding hands down the way
Our hearts blooming
Eyes full of hope
But then you grew up
And now I realize
Broken pencils
Were much better than broken
Hearts and lost friends
11
Silver Lining
I
came into this world
Holding a ruby in my hand
But that which once showed promise
Is now a wretched dream
I have reached my sell by date
And now I’m just a fleeting shadow
Failing to endure
Waking up every morning
Listening to the same song
The song of the "tormented soul"
Filled with paranoia
Of seeing my peers in the ghetto
Immersing themselves in glory
With fathers who pamper them
With bread and butter
I can't help eating my heart out
Born with silver spoons in their mouths
They take shortcuts to navigate
The journey of life
While for me, its more pain no gain
I can only green with envy
We attended the same school
Sat on the same rickety chairs
But today they are a notch above
They have facts and claims
While I have shredded pride and shame
I'm just a zombie around them
12
They were my peers
Before they ditched me
Who could have been proud
To have a friend like me?
But the stone that the builders refused
Shall be the cornerstone
Time waits for no man
A lifeline would be welcomed
With cracked lips
I wonder how it would be without
Petroleum jelly
I go down on my wobbly knees
Looking up to the skies
For I know that's where the remedy lies
We were created in His image
One day we will be on the same page
Things will be okay
The sun will rise
13
Emotional Rollercoaster
L
ove is too unforgiving
I have been a victim many times
Finding solace in being alone
For myself cannot betray me
I am carrying my own happiness
Out of stoicism
Defying all stereotype
That whoever finds love
Finds a good thin
Many a heartbreak have I faced
And I could change if I were you
But I am as constant as the Northern star
I need a savior
To show me that even a broken heart
Can beat again
Red tears flash in my eyes
Agony written all over my face
The memories haunt me
I had given all of it
Now I taste the sour taste
Of failed victory
Tears may flow
My bones may break
I stand still holding a shattered heart
A shade of unfulfilled promises
I become sadly crippled in the shackles of love
An emotional rollercoaster
14
Daily Bread
S
on, man born of a woman is of few days
And my days could be coming to an end
Listen to me and listen attentively
A journey of a thousand miles
Begins with a single step
And your journey starts now
Take leaf out of my book
Be a man, who is as good as his name
Love all and trust none
Good is not great
Never accept mediocrity
You are the master of your own destiny
You either craft it or stifle it
No sweat no sweet
Believe in your potential and your ability
They are your best secrets
Always bear that in mind
Be indignant and stay vigilant
For the world is awash with wickedness
Put God at the forefront
And always give thanks in all circumstances
Be as shrewd as a snake
And be wary of the world's hypocrisy
Many are hyenas dressed in sheep's fur
Only there to reap what you sew
Silence is a virtue
Remember, not all that glitters is gold
Maruva enyika haapere
Find your own flower
15
And affirm your commitment to it
Water it daily with abundant water
To the other flowers, give a cold shoulder
Don't be deceived by their stunning looks
Or let their fragrance spellbind you
Know this, a man of many companions
Will soon come to ruin
But there is a friend that sticks
Closer than a brother
The one that gives you wise counsel
Is your good friend
As I prepare for the last ride
Take heed of this wisdom
So, you may reach to stardom
16
Letter To Tatenda
Brother,
Y
ou left an age ago
For the land of the Rising sun
But while you bask in the sun
Having tons of fun
Darkness has engulfed me
Things are in disarray
The light you left glowing
Has since faded away
I heard you habitually enjoy gourmet
While back here I often have morsels
Sleeping on an empty stomach
Is not an anomaly
Wining and dining is your wont
While I'm at the mercy of my slave driver
Donning Gucci, Versace and Fendi
Is easier said than done
While I slavish in shabby outfits
A yen a year
Would not be so unfair
Sister Rhoda is now a wife
Though I didn’t receive the lobola
Everything was better
Before death reared its ugly head
Mother lost her battle with cancer
While father perished on the road
17
Since then, life has been an itch
Now the house is too big for me
Alone, afraid and abandoned
You make me nervous whenever my
Phone rings without your name on it
Do you even remember me?
Life has become ignorable
And like a ship without a helmsman
It is motionless on the shores of hypochondria
With heartache and growing pains
I have a bittersweet heart
Like the prodigal son I hope you will return
Remember me
Come home
It’s been a cold day in summer
Yours,
Sad
18
To Days Gone By
T
hat sixth of May
When the storm washed you away
Mama, you always taught me the right way
And I feel so proud of you today
Though you are miles away
I know where there's a will, there will be a way
The wound you left in my fragile heart
Is still fresh
Like a thorn it is piercing my flesh
You left a huge void
Which only you can fill
I'm devoid of the motherly love
In a world that demand courage
We may be worlds apart
But I still have a soft spot
For you in my heart
The wound will only heal with time
You were simply sublime
She was the light in darkness
My source of happiness
Now I'm just a headless chicken
Struggling to come to terms
With her untimely demise
Though I was naughty at times
She had a blind spot
When it came to my faults
And such was her hallmark
19
It was a punch in the face
To leave without a goodbye
As I pen this rhapsody
I burn with intense desire
To see you again
You allayed my fears
Your tenderheartedness was music to my ears
You never enjoyed seeing me in tears
I'm now in a world of bother
But why?
Im always glancing at my door
Just anticipating your arrival
It is my determination to keep going
And pick myself out of this hole
Mama, your stars keep glowing
As you light my way.
20
The Untold Story Of
Pomona Dump Site
A
fetid odour welcomes you
As you step into this isolation site
A confining aura engulfs the atmosphere
Sending shivers down your spine
A garbage truck enters the scene at full throttle
Much to the delight of the forlons
And falls victim to their exuberant interception
As they gallop after it with intent
Taking chances is not a taboo
As they risk being overrun
Iyo mota yangu
Shouts one man from the distance
The early bird gets the fattest worm
The driver takes his foot off the gas
And the men and women sorrily
Line up to offload the waste
It's as if they are preparing to recieve complimentary breakfast
It's like a cemetery her
Suppressed smiles on their faces
Creates a gloomy image
As each one of them finds their feet
It would take only a rock solid heart
Not to feel for them
Its a riff-ruff activity
As they grapple for a living
21
A sad reality indeed
Young and old, barefoot
With cracked feet
Dressed in dirty rags and tatter
Hunger, poverty and desperation
Etched on their faces
A feeling of discontent
Waste pickers or scavengers
Whatever one calls them, they don't mind
There are no classes here
A safe haven for the breeding
Of rodents and flies
A serious health hazard
Shelter made of meager material
Increases vulnerability to severe weather
And ruthless predators
They long for emancipation
But who will bring the redemption?
22
Now Is The Time
H
ow long will we continue to,
Shoot ourselves in the foot?
How long will we continue to hold the hare and run with the
hounds
How long will the mistakes of yesteryear continue to haunt us?
It is time dear brothers
That we wake up from this slumber
Some left for the Middle East
Others took the long flight
Crossing the ocean under
And some swam in the Limpopo
All searching for greener pastures
Is the grass really greener on the other side?
Now is the time dear brothers
To wake up and smell the coffee
A baby cries in the valley
As it is battered by the scorching sun
While the mother joyfully looks on
He yearns for love,care and embrace
As he cannot keep up with the pace
But the woman who conceived
Turns a deaf ear to her own creation
How long will the innocent soul,
Continue to meander in obscurity?
An Empire ravaged by pestilences
Hate, immorality and hope defeated
Maybe Armageddon is nigh
23
Now is the time dear brothers
To visit the scriptures and search for the answers
How long will our youths
Continue to drift towards the dead end?
How long will the future of tomorrow
Continue crumble as we stare?
Boys engaging in intoxication
And they get no conviction
And girls cladded in revealing clothes
Has become the new normal
This ship is slowly sinking
And now is the time dear brothers
To steady the ship and bring it back on course
How long will we continue to be led astray by false prophecies?
How long will this inequality persist
A giant blighted by cancer
Corruption, the chief tormentor
If the weeds are not obliterated
The anguish could be as painful as a mastectomy
Now is the time dear brothers
To act rather than to react
But now is the time.
24
An Improbable Dream
T
o dream is to live
And to live is to dream
I have a dream
Not just a dream
But an improbable dream
I dream of a world with
Everlasting peace, where wars, quarrels
And disputes become issues of the past
A world where atrocities such as
Terrorism and genocide
Are not condoned
Where the Boko Harams and the
Al Shababs are annihilated
To achieve the ideology of universal
Global understanding and nonviolence
I dream of an egalitarian world where
All basic human rights
Are equally guaranteed to all without
Regard to race, culture, or religion
A world were,
Racism and discrimination have
No place on planet earth
Where Asians and Americans,
Africans and Europeans understand the
Meaning of the term _world citizenship_
I dream of a world where
25
World leaders speak with one voice
For a common purpose
A world where nations are build on the
The basis of love and harmony
A world where differences
Are set aside without conditions
I dream of a world where
The youths grow up
Knowing their purpose
In this evanescent life
A world where hard work and
Dedication pay more dividend than corruption
Where social stratification is
Treated like treason
I dream of such a world
A world where
Our fellow brothers in
Syria, Somalia, Afghanistan and Lebanon
Do not sleep holding thier hearts
In their hands, not knowing if they
Will live to see the next morning
A world where oneness prevails
Where xenophobia becomes
An obsolete practice
I dream of a people
Who are defined by their character
Not by the color of their eyes
People who value mankind
More than wildlife
26
Servant Of Sorrow
F
ather, you said that we mustn't avenge
And only you can revenge
They have made my life a real carnage
Today I present them before you
My tears are a marvel to them
I'm weary and can't fight them
I have no armory to wage war against them
Only you can deal with them
Dressed in uniforms of brutality,
They whack me with criticism
They force me to run the gauntlet
''A chastening experience'' they say
To improve what?
Like one musician once said,
Vanoda kundiita mubikira
I clamor for water, but they give me vinegar
Their language is profane and toxic
Their words stink like carrion flowers
Their smile is a nuisance
It doesn't last long like the reign
Of Pedro Lascuráin
They have made me a servant of sorrow
They make me live on bread and water
While they feast on honey and milk
Day and night
I see them on their ego trips
27
No one can ever please them
Not even Santa Claus
Their aim is to put me to the sword
And dig up my grave before I'm dead
If a corpse lies on the ground
With its eyes wide open
That doesn't mean the person is alive
And if I keep my mouth shut
In the face of these trials
That doesn't mean I'm happy
In my heart, there's grief
And only you Father can bring relief
28
To Kill A Phoenix
Y
ou may knock me down
You may mock me like a clown
But like the phoenix,
I will rise up out of the ashes
I may be down and out
But like Lazurus I will rise from the dead
You may shoot me with your words
You may lop me into shreds
But still, like the mockingbird
I will rise up out of the ashes
I don't fall like a house of cards
Though you make your spiteful remarks
A dark cloud is hovering over my head
But that doesn't mean I'm dead
Though I walk through the valley
Of the shadow of failure
I shall not resign to defeat
And like the mockingbird
I will rise up out of the ashes
You may hurt me with your jealousy
You may shower me with your hypocrisy
But like the phoenix
I will rise up out of the ashes
I may look out of sorts
But the spirit of optimism is upon me
My glory days are beckoning
29
Calm After The Storm
M
y life has become a trial by fire
Living with no sense of belonging
Like a soldier in the battlefield
I travel through the uncharted terrains
Of life searching for solace and freedom,
With a mammoth burden on my shoulders
But, it is only a wild goose chase
Father and mother went separate ways
And he found another woman
Living at her house is a nightmare,
An attack more lethal than the 9/11
Eluded by the motherly love and guidance
I have no excuses but to submit
Enduring sleepless nights
Summoning my mind to reality
Hoping for brighter days
But It's only a hallucination
Depression and delirium are
My close relatives
As if that's what the doctor ordered
The street has become my Shangri-La
Smiling outside and pretending as if all is well
But deep inside there is an untold story
I can't blow my emotions out of proportion
I have become a sorrowful servant
The fall guy whenever trouble erupts
Darkness has covered my life
30
It has changed my day into night
With a woman who seldom smiles
And children raised in a barn and
Lacking a sense of etiquette,
And whose arrogance make them
Feel like bosses, I just can't find my place
I am the odd one out
A day hardly passes without tears
Oozing out of my eyes
Thinking of a dear mother who was
Stolen by the inevitable thief
Only adds insult to the injury
I wonder if this is the kind
Of life I am meant to live
The agony of a broken life
Make me a cold person
Life has to go on
And this battle has to be won
The race has to be run
So I could get into the comfort zone
My journey has only begun
There will be calm
After this storm
31
Sunshine City: The Ailing Giant
S
unshine City, a name that
Holds no appeal anymore, than reality
How ironic
When was the last time the,
Sun shone on our City?
Will it ever shine again?
Cry my beloved city!
Woeful service delivery
Sewage flowing mercilessly
You would think it is for human consumption
A ticking health time bomb
Refuse uncollected in ages
A blind eye turned to the mess
The refuse trucks show up
Once in a blue moon
Sometimes even after noon
A painful reminder of the intense
Ignorance and negligence
Cry my beloved city!
A motif of unfulfilled visions and blueprints
It's all lime and salt, no tequila
Promises which are too good to be true
Won't see us through
Water is life and every drop counts
But the weekends don't tell the whole story
Once a hub for euphoria,
But like a fallen warrior
32
Now a pale shadow of itself
Cry my beloved city!
Woe to the City fathers
Who rest on their laurels
That doesn't bring back the lost bliss.
Of a CBD that is never short of drama
With a cat and mouse affair
Always on show more often than not
You would think it is a sitcom
But that's the reality
Of deserted infrastructures
Rufaro Stadium which doesn't
Offer happiness like its name suggests
Is a disgrace to the football fraternity
Nowhere near good enough to host
An unofficial friendly match
Pitting Yadah FC and Herentals
And cosmetic renovations
Which only flatter to deceive,
Sums it up all
If only Robert Marley could see it now
Will they ever pay attention?
Cry my beloved city!
Plagiarism is not always a crime
And now is the opportune time
To restore the old startling sparkle
33
Elizabeth
S
he was a priceless gem
A girl who never chased fame
With only a desire not to remain the same
Elizabeth was her name
Beauty was her definition
Boys worshipped the land she walked on
She was a role model for other girls
Making her parents proud was like a tradition
Putting a smile on their faces was an obligation
You would think she was from another world
They called her the 'Rose of Mbare'
With a desire and a dream to study law
The writing was clear on the wall
For a promising future
To make her family better
Everything soon changed in a trice
Influenced by peers at the turn of teen hood
She responded to the devil's call
And followed their path towards dead end
Until one night, her fate was sealed
A one-night stand,
Under the guise of a night study session
Was the straw that broke the camel's back
What had slipped could not be taken back
The femininity and virginity
Which had stood the taste of time
Had vanished in the blink of an eye
34
At the hands of a ravenous beast
She had betrayed herself
The Rose of Mbare had shriveled
The jury was out on Elizabeth
A girl of princely quality,
We all thought it would last till eternity
Today, she is a spent force
A remnant of a promising lady that
Once captured the imagination of boys
And wowed man
She was an asset until she was not
Seeing her walk along Remembrance Drive
With a helpless baby on her back
With unkempt clothes on her body
You cannot help but feel for this young lady
The last time I saw her
I hardly recognized her
How the mighty has fallen
35
Far From Your Love
I
t only feels like yesterday
When you decided to walk away
I still can't find a clue
On why you said 'we are through'
I still reminisce on the fun we had
And all the nostalgic memories we shared
You were indeed my best friend
I never thought the fun would end
Do you remember that first night we met?
That was a moment I will never forget
That wasn't until you decided to break my heart
Turning sour, that which was once sweet
I thought we had a real connection
But they were only glimpses of infatuation
Today I'm filled with confusion
Seeking answers to my question
What did I do wrong?
I wish I could turn the clock back
So, we could make things work
But I can't figure it out in my bedroom
As I try to evade everyday boredom
It's never easy on a freezing night
It adds more misery to my plight
If only you were here in my sight
36
Maybe I could win this fight
The pain is too much for me to bear
I have tried to make my point clear
I hope this message gets into your ear
So, you could remember me my dear
‘Dedication to Cupcake’
37
Million Miles From Reality
W
hat's the amount to cough up,
To overcome this struggle?
Each morning one wakes up
To face another battle
Lives hanging by a thread
Not knowing where to get bread
But see how the lilies of the field grow,
They do not labor or spin
I guess they were right
Vakafa vakazorora
We've seen it all before
Reeling in the storm of an eye
We are fighting a mental war
An excruciating dilemma
Of wallets bereft of a penny
If you want to double your money,
You must fold it over once and
And put in the pocket
People wallowing in poverty
Is an everyday policy
This is a real struggle
Grade A, C, O, U or even a PhD
You can't tell the difference
It's an early morning scramble
As the quest to put food on table heats up
Boys and men throng the MWOS Betting Mall
All with the same goal
38
Some dressed in flashy costumes
Brave the early morning cold
In search of their gold
'BTS, and over 2.0'
Are the keys to unlock success
Mixed reactions at the end of the day
Tickets teared into pieces
Sums up the frustrations
It's a survival of the fittest
Harboring dreams of childhood
That's where the smile seem broadest
Itching to have everything
But how can one have everything
Where would they put it?
We long for the sunshine
To bring back our lost smile
This is a game of chess we are playing
All that we need is to check mate our struggle
39
Lamentation: The Wailing Child
I
f my life was a movie
It would need dozens of sequels
Or maybe a hundredfold
Because it’s a bag of stories untold
My silent screams tear my heart
"Be a man" they comfort me
But how can I make sense
When the world around me is a mess?
I cry tears, tears of blood
Salty tears on wind beaten cheeks
I bleed for all that I lost
I bleed for all that I should have made most.
They told me resilience would save me
Alas, it ravaged me
My blurry eyes make out images
Images of who I could have become
My hands ooze blood
As I try to make my way in the mud
Last night's nightmares got a grip on me
And they torment me till I bleed
What can a man learn?
In this wrecked wreck of life
That is full of savages that gnaw at my bone.
My marrow has become weak
I cannot walk no more
My tired limbs have had their say today
They need rest
Life have bled out of them
40
My life has become a tragedy
Can bygones be bygones?
I envy those who are living in sweet melodies
While mine has been an avalanche of noise
I yearn for all that I desire
I yearn for life that has been drained out of me
I want to feel the life again
One more time before I fade
41
Doom And Gloom
I
have been staring in the horizon
Wondering where the sun is?
Will this concrete jungle forever be my fortress?
Groping in the dark
Hoping for light
Savoring the sweet memories
Of years gone by
Is this how despairing feels?
These teenage emotions
Savaging my mind,
Seek rest and solace from behind
Hoping that whatever I plan
Do not boomerang and I die
What have I dragged myself into?
Sagged hope in my youth
Will I live for tomorrow?
I embraced it with open arms
Euphoria bursting my youthful heart
Now, only a glimmer of hope remains in me
Doom and gloom staring at me
All those promises were taken back
All those I needed let me down
All my eyes fell off I am blind
And I am knee deep in a different kind
I yearned for a warmer touch
Honesty, loyalty and transparency
But my heart has only become a rhapsody of misery
Still, joy comes in the morning
Save me, I am wincing
42
Moon-lovers
T
he moment I heard the utter
I knew doom was spelt for me
And looking back
It has become a cancer
Gnawing on the marrow of my bones
Through this loneliness, heartache and anguish
Reminiscing on the past
A foolish grin on my face
Only to be replaced by a scowl
Because that is when I remember
I will hold you no more
I wish to hold on to the memories
Never waking up from the dreams
As they have become my refuge
My sanctuary
As it reminds me of us
Before you decided to say
'Goodbye Lyriqal'
43
Tears Of The Son
W
ill my eyes still steam from tears?
Tears of pain that burn my cheeks
Will this fragile heart of mine
Withstand the agony
Or fangs that paw it?
Trying to look up the sun is too bright
I look down its a splash of hue
As a maggot I am small
The burden has been too heavy
On my feeble shoulders
For I am only but a boy.
The pain oh the pain!
It has savaged me to pieces
'He is wasted' they say
But how can I be wasted when I have been standing this tall
My screaming back has become accustomed
To the bed of thorns that I lie on
I yearn for a bed of roses
Where I can enjoy rosy dreams
My feet tell it all
Cracked, rusty and drained of life
But still my shield of a smile
Relieves it all
My boyish dreams are a speck in the distance
Can somebody then tell me?
What a boy got to do??
44
Melancholy
M
oments play through my mind
How high I have become
It seems like only yesterday
But the wounds from yesterday
Are still steaming fresh
Stamps of poverty shows on my skin
My wrinkled skin tells a story
A story of a boy
Whose dreams were shattered
By a poverty bazooka
That spit naked figures and hungry nights
Oh, not forgetting the fights
For a hungry man is an angry man
It seems so remote
That my life was a song sung in discord
The horizon of wellness is still far off.
I smell greatness but yesteryears memories haunt me
To years gone by
I am still the odd boy
Only the pain and hunger
I have chased away
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I Was There
M
emories will never fade
A thousand tears were shed
Even though the moments were bad
He never bade goodbye to them
Like a thorn he needed some to hold on to
Oh yes! I am going to say
I was there when his heart was torn apart
I was there when passion’s lecherous lips led him astray
I was there when he cried like a child
When his voice became hoarse, and he cried no more
I was there when doom was spelt for him
Oh yes, I was there!
The empty look in his eyes
as he glared in the distant horizon
Making melodies in his heart
The blood, sweat and tears
A surfeit of ordeals
The deep gaze that once illuminated the vibrant face
Taken by a sour sweet scowl
In its place a splash of hue
Like he has been baptized in ashes
I was there when he gave up
I was there as he narrated his story
Of strife, love and lust
I was there when he wanted a Savior
I was there when he needed a shoulder to lean on
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I was there when he sent me with the scroll
Oh yes, I was there through thick and thin
"Remember me, mudiwa"
47
A Tale Of A Withered Flower
I
heard their wails
Fellow patriots
Mourning what once was
Their golden temple of fantasies
Their theatre of dreams
That came crushing down
With its destruction,
It crushed their hopes, dreams and the future.
Now a solemn look tattooed on their faces
Tells the untold story
Of strife.
An 'All form, no beer' affair
Why my motherland why?
They had so much hope in you
You were a fattening calf
And with drooling desire
They smacked their lips
In anticipation
Of the tantalizing goodness
That you were oozing
Happier days were ahead
Fellow patriots what went wrong?
As they looked up
They counted the rungs
That marked the distance
Between them and them
Social stratification endorsed by political factionalism
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And years of poor idealism
Had created a mammoth gap
The poor looked up
Wallowing in mediocrity
It was a staring battle
Patriots cry no more.
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Never Say Never
D
ared to make history
As I was writing a story
But now I feel sorry
Albeit making it
What will they say?
Their whispers shall torture my ears
Accusing, fingers pointed at me
Casting aspersions upon me
Failure you are
'Never say Never'
Tried to be happy with less
Their jeers were a setback.
For what will they utter
Seeing me, poor but happy
I took a step back
Maybe another day
'Never say never'
When reality struck
I created my own world
Where I was alone
I turned as blind as a bat to the world
Plugged my ears from their huffing and puffing
And for once I felt free and happy
Because I did not care anymore
'Never say never'
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Dilemma
H
eroes and heroines are to be admired not pitied
But underneath a seed planted at the dark edge of the
mountains
Is what they portray
My heart has become a permanent
Residence of sadness, sorrow and doom
Remorse is now compensation to my broken soul
Pessimism hanging above my aspirations
Agony written all over my face
This heartache drums my little mind
My dreams are crushed
Under life's unforgiving foot
Pain is stinging my eyes
Tears have grooved my cheeks
Some will never understand for I am only a broken soul
Slowly drowning in a pool of confusion
Learning to keep my faith, hoping to God.
I am only a broken soul seeking a place of comfort
As I am wandering,
Searching for a shoulder to cry on
The hope in me has died.
I still have tomorrow
If only I have what it takes to face it
For my thorn filled journey requires clear minds
Dear life doesn’t push too hard
For I am a fragile broken soul.
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Hope In The Son
T
he world was shattered
The dreams in shambles
So many broken pieces
The end was imminent
All hope was lost
Tears welled in their eyes
For the time was nigh
Pride was scattered all over
Grimace and smirks were the new smiles
Like a flooded river
Emotions ran high
Tears, sorrow and remorse
Stuck to them like a tick
Faces were an ashy grey
Broken promises and vain dreams
They needed something to hold onto
The people needed some hope
I told them about Him
Christ in them was the hope of Glory
And that was the Gospel
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Immortal Chemistry
I
t's etched on your face
It's a shadow
The link between body and soul
The coy smile
Dispersing hazardous thoughts
I can never touch yet I feel you
A silent promise
Made in unison
Thick as thieves
Once we love someone
We die with them
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Backstabber
O
nce I was down
With no penny to my name
I thought of a friend
Who had fame tattooed on his name
Smile wider than a rainbow
I confidently asked, spare some?
The look of disgust on his face
Was mesmerizing
Accompanied by the grimace
As though he was about to puke
Forgetting where his bread
Had been buttered
I looked around
In case I had something on me
Then reality struck
His personal coffers
Were out of reach for someone like me
A stab in the back it felt
Please sir, spare some?
I dragged my shamed legs
And massaged my bruised ego
Views of yesteryear racing in my mind
We had been together
He rose alone
And I felt lost
He deserted me when it mattered most
Please sir, spare some?
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A Dozen Tears
A
nd I look up
Tears welling in my eyes
Putting my faith
To the one beyond the sun.
Hoping against hope
That whatever tomorrow brings
I must face it.
I am exhausted from trying to escape
From myself and me
55
Love Shouldn't Hurt
T
he hideous look on
her face epitomizes it all
Each night turns into
a funeral as she silently mourn,
Like a punching bag,
Her body is now an arena of pain
Scars engulf her face as she forlornly stare at the
man, she calls husband
Calling her sweetie or darling
Is not enough to elude the hiding
Neither is preparing supper
The beauty of yesteryear is now a fantasy
She has become a love prisoner
It was a bed of roses but not anymore
Whenever he returns at night
The atmosphere becomes miasmic
Holding a Heineken bottle in his hand
with the warning, 'drink responsibly'
Maybe he's illiterate
His body reeks of alcohol
It is unusual if he even shows up these nights
Sleeping over is now his pleasant pastime
She is on the receiving end of spiteful slurs
and unreciprocated blows
Whenever he is around
She should have left ages ago
But she soldiers on for her family of course
Till death do us part
Reduced to a nobody in the presence of her children
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Love shouldn't hurt!
Hers is a fight of course
But better than what happens next door
Baba Ruva has become a victim
Being subjected to umpteen punches
At the mercy of his pugilistic wife
Imbwa yemurume has become
A derogatory anthem in this marriage
Oh poor man!
The feeling of stigma stands
Between him and the police station
The taunting men and women there
Won't even dare to help
Vilification is what they do best
What happened to the promises and
Vows we made on the wedding day?
All the sweet memories on that sunny day
Sitting under that jacaranda tree
Didn't we vow to uphold peace and happiness?
But now we are filled with sadness
It was meant to last forever
But today that apple has turned rancid
Love should never vanish
It should always be
Delicious, delicate and delightful
Think about it
Raising a hand is petulance
Speaking with one loving voice is the remedy
Let's eschew Gender Based Violence
16 days or not
Love shouldn't hurt!
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