Rethabile Masilo, @ Poefrika, an awesome poet from Lesotho, in a recent post of his that asks "who's your hero?" lists (among others) Steven Biko, as a person who "faces injustice and speaks out against it." This is for you, Rethabile. And for Steven.
AFRIC MAPS
Geographers, in Afric maps,
With savage pictures fill their gaps,
And o'er unhabitable downs
Place elephants for want of towns.
--Jonathan Swift
Biko,
Naked and manacled
In the back of a Land-Rover
Cannot be convinced of
Mankind's essential goodness.
Biko,
The men who have done this
Go out to kill
Believing in the mercy of God,
Biko,
In the music of love.
Biko,
Humankind moves in a celluloid dream,
Subscribes to pain. When we wake,
Your bruised black limbs
Will have pushed out roots
Watered from your blood.
Black women will prepare them
Like gari,
Black men will eat of them,
Biko,
And be strong.
.
6 comments:
Pepek,
This is mighty generous of you, and I'm truly honoured. Thank you.
Nice job. Love that Swift quote too!
Rel, I am honored to know you. And slick, thank you.
Hope you both have a great week-end!
A powerful piece.
I know that much has changed since he died - but it still seems like humanity in general fits your words too well:"Humankind moves in a celluloid dream,
Subscribes to pain."
On my way to check out Rethabile Masilo - :)
A powerful and absolutely beautiful poem.
This is a beautiful tribute. It soars.
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