Looking Ahead Poem by Jabulani Mzinyathi

after the storm
after the thunder
after the lightning bolts
after the downpour
after the deluge

hear the frogs croaking
hear the birds chirping
feel the fresh breeze
the warm sunshine
the abundance of life

with your crescents
with your robes
do not be robbed again
leave slogans for politicians


men and women of cloth
never again to sing praises
where there should be dirges
the abuse of your pulpits
leave those insipid slogans

each to his or her calling
each to his or her vocation
strictures be gone now
release the birds from cages
that they may freely fly
soaring on the way to liberty