TORN APART

By
Phillip Chidavaenzi

Since you’ve been gone

Like a crater,

Of its volcano relieved,

I ache –

Profusely,

Bleeds my heart

Like a political pamphlet,

With worn-out slogans,

A part of me,

You tore away.

(C) P. Chidavaenzi, July 2 2011 

All rights reserved.

Recollections of Domboshava

By Tichaona Zindoga 

Sweet innocent youth,

Broken by some moments uncouth. 

Growing in a village 

Where fires of dry season rage 

Not with malice; 

Perhaps to prepare the land for a summer chalice 

Of cool summer rain – the long wait has not been in vain. 

Plenitude. 

Poverty. 

Plenty. 

Want. 

Seasons: a life’s course 

Bobbing back and forth with natural force.

A people owning all: 

The mountain, the valley, the waterfall. 

Caves. 

Paintings: some great times past 

A history in and on stone cast 

Mystery. 

Drums beating in Ngomakurira 

Free booze in Musungwa. 

Not red not black: 

Something in between, 

A rock, a dome so coloured: 

Domboshava. 

© T. Zindoga, 2011. 

All rights reserved.

NDIANI?

Na Francis Chidavaenzi 

MATSOTSI aya,

Achasunga ndiani? 

Vemitemo,

Nechioko muhomwe,

Zvovorarama

MHONDI idzi, 

Achatonga ndiani?

Vemitemo,

Zvovoda dhora pamberi?

MBAVHA idzi,

Achamhangarira ndiani? 

Vanoona, 

Nechigunwe mukanwa, 

Zvovonyaradzwa?

Vhura muromo, 

Achabhadhara ndiani? 

Vanhu vese, 

Mate mukanwa, 

Zvavaomeswa nematsotsi?

© F. Chidavaenzi, 2011.

MATSOTSI

  Na Phillip Chidavaenzi

Usadenhe vakomana ava

Siyana navo

Kwavanobva haukuzive

Vanokunyudza.

Siya vakadaro,

Vakomana ava -

Vane mangoromera

Usatambe navo

Mumatope,

Vanokuzvuzvurudza pasina mvura.

Rega zvako

Rikabaya pfumo ravo,

Rinotyokeramo

Woziva pako papera

Hondo yavo haina mugoni

Saka rega vakadaro

Matsotsi

Hwako hupenyu,

Vanotiza nawo...

(c) P. Chidavaenzi, July 2 2011

All rights reserved.

BROKEN

By 
Phillip Chidavaenzi

The poignant loneliness, 

In your eyes, 

With sadness I read 

Like the biting lines, 

Of a poet so heart-broken

The silent tears, 

Throughout the day I see 

Your sobbing, 

Throughout the silent night

Like glowing cigarette stubs, 

Jab at my heart 

Give me your hand

Through the night

With you, 

I will walk. 

(c) P. Chidavaenzi, July 2 2010.

REST IN PEACE

By Phillip Chidavaenzi

Written in memory of Julius Sekai Chingono

You looked ancient,

Not that you were ancient.

The blaze of youth,

Burnt away the years you carried.

The image of a sage,

Like an old glove,

Comfortably you wore.

Like that hat,

So familiar a part of you,

In the literary corridor,

Forever stand tall you will.

In the corridors of my mind,

The echo of your heartfelt laughter,

I still hear.

Too soon you went away,

Before we had fully partaken

Of the riches of your wisdom.

Yea, mine blaster,

Our straight-jacket conventions

Away you blasted,

With the satire of your tongue

With the needle-tip of your pen.

May your dear soul rest in peace,

Jolly old fella,

But forever young at heart.

(C) P. Chidavaenzi, 1 July 2011.