A Bittersweet Retreat Poem by Nkululeko Mdudu

I'm cornered by lightning
So frightening!
I'm shaking,
Just waking
from afternoon napping.

Still mapping,
still seeing them clapping…
But flashing and bashing
Of bold bouncing
bolts of burden...

Ferrying sighs
within the skies
Drumming loudly,
telling lies!

Can no one,
anyone
Under a shaded sun
Stop this rattling
rogue thunder?

DUDDUMM….DUDDUMM…DUMM! ! !

Cracking like corn
in the fire,
But much,
much higher
Than rolls of smoke;
Then smashing the air
With hostile whipping,
whipping and weeping

Oh here comes the rain! ! !

Sweet as the melting flowers
Of moonlight
in broad daylight.
Warm with winter's absence,
Each drop is incense
To the soul
and essence
Of the mother
tongue of earth.

Sweet tasting,
tender touch
From the volatile
valleys across the sky

Let the rain come! ! !

Let it fill the dams
And dusty streams
No more sunny themes
But later
for the sunny seams.

Let it cover the oceans
And rivers;
with shivers
Running wild! ! !

Let it melt
the sorrows of my child.

DUDDUMM…DUDDUMM…DUMM…
Sutyu' Qha! ! !

DUDDUMM…DUDDUMM…DUMM…
Sutyu' Qha! ! !