Venice masks

Friday 9 February 2024

The calves are everywhere - Gudugwe Mlilo

The Reverend Shepstone? Really!
The fence consumes the gourds!
They dip with their calves
They are all skinned together with their mothers.
Kleke in the meantime moves around with a stump,
The Reverend gingerly pulls at his beard!

He shouts “Go to Hell!” to me!
I did not attack but asked him nicely,
He takes no notice of me,
He knows the truth,
The Reverend is a man among men;
The calves have scattered everywhere.

Gudugwe Mlilo (1892-1966) Zimbabwe
Translated by Jerry Zondo
Source: All Poetry

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