Mpho Petrus Manwedi

I look at you and I can see sadness on your face
I can feel the weight of the goodbye upon your shoulders
Your eyes brim with tears of farewell
And I ask myself, Why?
...

I hesitated as I touched her legs
And she coaxed me on as if she could sense
The inexperience of a fifteen year old boy
I ran my hand along her smooth body and I became afraid
...

Listen O’ mothers listen O’ sisters
Listen the spirit of reason is in me
And I tell of the hurt that should never be.
...

‘Mpho… come out and enjoy the shine
It is a beautiful day out here; ’ said Dee
I stood up and started towards the door,
For a moment I felt the thrill and the excitement
...

I sat there my head bowed in dejection
It had been a long search
But now that it was ended
I did not know what to do with what I had in my hand
...

I have been on this road
I know the signs
I can show you all the landmarks
And it had not been an easy road.
...

My friend you say that
I cannot know the pain you are feeling
That I will never comprehend the situation you are in
But let me tell you this
...

What kind of a person are you, or may I say animal?
Anyway, will it help even if I knew?
Will it take away this hatred I feel for you?
Will it bring back those loved ones?
...

It is long since I have been here
Yes you may ask, where is here?
I say you may ask, why here?
So listen to what I’ve got to say about this here
...

The old man was at it again
splashing paint all over the western sky
and like a pre-school child
He was gleefully mixing different colours on the sky board
...

The tone was set
To the artistic beauty of the candle lit splashpool
With the firefly and Chinese lighting in the backdrop
The night was accommodating
...

Suddenly I was awake
Wide-awake like I had never gone to sleep
And the face of the clock at my bedside
Showed me the twelfth night watchman
...

I was yanked from my mother’s womb
Pushed into this world
Without a choice
Slapped on my behind
...

You wake up to a glorious morn
To a cheerful song of the birds
The clear skies sighing in the acknowledgement
Of a magnificent day to be
...

Words, Words, Words,
Why is it when I need you,
You deny me of your presence?
Why is it when I want to touch you
...

You came into my life
When I was down and low
You accepted me
Even though I was a stranger
...

Oh gosh! It is that time of the day again.
I am sitting here all alone
Yeah all alone and desolate
I am watching the sun go down
...

Oh! Carry me back
To the womb that was my home
Where I used to lie in blissful contentment
With nary a worry to my soul.
...

God, who are you?
Or rather where are you?
Many people are talking about you
Saying you are the one who is always there
...

I wish I were the song
That comes to your mind when you are happy
I wish I were the comforting words
Of the song you sing when you are sad
...