Broken Pieces

By Donna Nongkhlaw

Who is not broken?

we live in a world where

most things are broken

broken dreams

severed relationships

splintered trees

landfills and oil spills

even the words that are spoken

are often laced with hate

that has somehow been made

ACCEPTABLE.

Give me one good reason

counter my rationale

persuade me that I am wrong

tell me we are not broken

and I will listen

because I desperately want to believe

but rape? murder?

baby’s diminishing safety

because we can no longer trust

uncles, brothers and fathers?

these things weigh me down

sprinkle salt on my wounded hope.

Heard it too many times

that only God can judge us

but that has been flushed

you see judgements ricochet

everyday

with verdicts drawn

based on

the colour of the skin

the clothes that are worn

the way that they walk

the way that they talk

the company they keep

just doesn’t sit well with us

a little too loud

a little too brash

reeking of booze

Don't walk in her shoes.

Before pointing a finger

look a little closer

let us consider the plight

we are all in the same fight

fighting similar battles

I am NOT above you

and you certainly are NOT above me

the world has gone crazy

and it is not enough

to be complacent

just because

bad things didn’t happen

to me or my family

tragedy never ask

before knocking on doors

our neighbour’s plight

might just hit us too

Let’s touch some wood.

This is not all in my head

I know deep in my bones

we are broken

but broken can be fixed

our lands have been blessed

with abundance

maybe one day we will not let them

just take it

deplete it

maybe one day

we will truly claim what’s ours

and truly fight for what is ours

because

we put in the works for what's ours

we build and we sweat for what's ours

we nourish what is ours.

We are no less now

than what we used to be

some hundred years ago

great men and women have walked this land

and without a doubt

great men and women still breathe here

great men and women

can still be raised here

so hear my silent screams

"let the journey begin"

the journey towards mending

and create a masterpiece

from all the broken pieces.

By Donna Nongkhlaw