See No Evil

There you have it

your dark continent, with its dark people and dark practices

There you have it

your savage chanting, by savage beasts in civil spaces

There you have it

your unintelligent, spirit invoking clamour

There you have it

your licentious gyrations, your overpopulation vindication

That is where you have it.

Now we have it

our wealthy land, with its wealthy inhabitants and wealthy customs

Now we have it

our eloquent voicing, by eloquent beings in inarticulate boxes

Now we have it

our ignoble, Zambezi founded roar

Now we have it

our breezy swaying, our unwavering, sonic augmentation

That is where we have it.

We spoke to Jazz and told it to Samba.

We wrote to Mento and signalled Hip-Hop

We cried to Blues and were consoled by Rhythm.

That, is where we have it.

Thabiso Nkoana © 22 October 2012