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#Poem

22 stories.

Two pairs of dark hands held open and close together against a grey cloth backdrop, in soft warm lightPoetry

Nkuku, teach me

I just want to learn, Nkuku,the way your bare palm lifts the hot pot lid,the way you sweep the yard before the sun, the dust smelling of cold,the way your gate stays open to the whole street.You put…

Maverick Kabelo30 Sep 20261 min read
A young man with locs rests his cheek on his hand, looking bored, seated on outdoor steps in a white T-shirtPoetry

Bored poem

I am Boredom, the silent thief of time, I creep into your days, uninvited, I dull your senses, drain your mind, And make each moment feel divided.

Maverick Kabelo10 Feb 20231 min read
A man with long locs sits alone on the edge of a bed in profile, head bowed, in a bright white roomPoetry

The six Ws of introversion

Why do I feel like an outcast, a misfit in this society?

Maverick Kabelo29 Dec 20221 min read
Woman's FacePoetry

She bled

Glancing the bay through the window,Her quiet morning began.Already hating the day, hating the life.She started to chase the ghost happiness that resided inside her.Drowning her sorrows in a deep…

Larona Mosoboloko4 Dec 20221 min read
Masked and unmasked audience members sit on white chairs at an outdoor event, one man standing by a laptopPoetry

Ambition in place

A brain behind inventiveness, Young and intelligent, Destined for greatness… Anxiousness and sensitiveness his weakness, And creativity his greatest weapon…

Ripfumelo Chavani14 Jul 20222 min read
A worker in a hard hat and blue overalls crouches beside a drill press in a workshop, holding a metal barPoetry

Makoro to survive

He wakes up early to get the bag, To run towards the hissing bus as it reaches the bus stop,To run after it even when it leaves him behind, Until it reaches the next bus stop for other workers.

AVO3 Jul 20221 min read
A man with patches of vitiligo on his face and arms, in a bucket hat and mustard T-shirt, holding a phonePoetry

Wear your skin proud

Unusual brown, white and spotty “deformities,” Sketched on your body by the hands of nature, Creping quietly into your coat, and consuming the usual skin color… A discomfort that came with constant…

Ripfumelo Chavani25 Jun 20221 min read
A father lying on a bed lifts a laughing toddler in a mustard top into the air, in bright, soft lightPoetry

Dear pops, old man

He is a pillar of strength; The one we look to when everything is going sideways; We know that he has an armour up there… I would wake up from nightmares, screaming.

Yarona Monthe19 Jun 20221 min read
A person in glasses and a pinstriped blazer leans on a wooden stool, glancing sideways, black and white portraitPoetry

Who am I?

I am the extension of rudeness, With a pinch of sweetness.

Yarona Monthe17 Jun 20221 min read
A woman in dungarees and a striped T-shirt laughs with arms raised in front of a rainbow flagPoetry

Wrong ain’t our label

They say we all have rights…A rhythm mumbled daily.As if everyone earns the same respect…Yet, seeing the difference makes me wonder.And seek to know exactly what are human rights?Who deserves these…

Ripfumelo Chavani16 Jun 20222 min read
Geoffrey Mosarwa Jr smiling in a grey T-shirt and gold chain, taking a selfie indoorsPoetry

Mosarwa’s poetic quest

Geoffrey Mosarwa Jr is a wordsmith who speaks his truth and wears his heart on his sleeve.

Maverick Kabelo15 Jun 20225 min read
A painted mural of a screaming figure clutching its head with both hands, teal and brown on a pale wallPoetry

Monstrous pain

I never saw it coming!

Ripfumelo Chavani30 May 20222 min read
A woman in a patterned headwrap cradles a baby wrapped in a soft blanket, black and white portrait against a dark backgroundPoetry

Mother’s Day

Hi mama, I know it’s late.

Palesa Morailane8 May 20221 min read
A woman in a black dress and pearl-trimmed cardigan sits with a coffee cup at an event, looking off to the sidePoetry

A true natured passion

Her profession… An excellent event prof.

Ripfumelo Chavani7 May 20222 min read
To show unstabilityPoetry

Surviving 2021

We’ve gotten to a point where we learnt survival of the fittest even when we didn’t want to.We’ve fought ourselves; our demons cursed our reflections and still couldn’t find stability.In-fact…

Burnt Out Phoenix29 Apr 20221 min read
Close-up portrait of a woman in a cream head wrap and large hoop earrings, looking steadily at the cameraPoetry

You think you know her

I overheard your chats with your buddies.Whispering one-sided truths about her character.You uttered with confidence…For you were certain of every element that made her.

Ripfumelo Chavani26 Apr 20221 min read
A woman with an afro tilts her head back with her eyes closed in profile against a teal sky, wearing large hoop earringsPoetry

I said I was busy

I said I was busy…Yet my truth was considered a lie.For I was not spotted physically operative

Ripfumelo Chavani22 Apr 20221 min read
To show painPoetry

Pain

I live deep within the deep blood of lonely children and sad souls.

Larona Mosoboloko22 Jan 20221 min read
A woman in a yellow ruffled jacket lowers her sunglasses and holds an ice cream cone against a weathered teal wallPoetry

Phenomenal self

I don’t have a sexy physique to die for,I’m not full- figured.But I’m cute in my ways,When I try to portray my glamour they don’t see it.When I try to notify them, they speculate I’m telling the…

Ripfumelo Chavani5 Jan 20221 min read
White Light Forming HeartPoetry

A heart of gold

My heart,What a tenderness filled within you,Your every beat is fulfilling and admiring…Your liking knows no prejudice..All you observe seems elegant and uniqueYou have passed this compassion to my…

Ripfumelo Chavani2 Jan 20221 min read
A young man with curly hair cheering, both fists raised, against a bright yellow backgroundPoetry

The man who won the lottery

Have you ever lived your life waking up from a shack?Feeding on dry breadcrumbs every morning and even in the evening when you come back?Have you ever lived a life that gives you a reason to give up…

Refilwe J. Mokgatlenyane21 Aug 20212 min read
A woman and a man with eyes closed, foreheads touching, lit by a sliver of warm light against darknessPoetry

Loving you ended me

I bought you flowers, and you sent them backGot you a necklace and said it doesn’t look good on your neckI bought you an impeccable dinner dress and you told me you hate the color blackTell me, how…

Refilwe J. Mokgatlenyane19 Aug 20212 min read

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