My mother strapped me on her back and fled for survival like bushbuck being chased by a cheetah
Kak! Kak!
They were too generous with the k-word
'Kill the boer' was sang as loud as a mutter in the townships
Whilst father broadcasted the whispers to 'die bas' and played Oprah with usis Gladys and umam Stephina at bra Oupas shebeen
"His weekend specials"
Whilst mama had to steal crumbs to feed us
OH, how she lied about his where abouts when the tires burnt on Sunday and the weekend was no longer special
She scrubbed the toilets clean until the 3 letters came for her
I wished I'd learnt not to trust men after witnessing papa play mama jaka morabaraba
I wish I'd seen her for her strength and not for loving papa shamelessly even when everyone knew, knew him!
In her sickness she still smiled
Broken by the system, weakened by a man and stricken in poverty
Decaying from aids she still smiled! And shared tales about ntatemogolo yet here I am as loose as water deeming her weak
When everyday my blood paints the walls and I contemplate leaving
