the call

the call
(for Motlatsi, Mbera and Mahlomola)

father discovered in the tone of one of them
that they controlled the out-of-doors,
and meant to enter before night was done,
the boys in their hut, unaware of the din outside.

darkness was with the visitors

—a faceless fear crept around our circle.

“come out here!
[how dare he stay in and not do as told]
come out, before we send in bullets
to settle our scores!”

talk ended. no more words. not a murmur.
no breathing from where the baby had slept.
but chaos, eating at the heart, and murder
left inside our lives for us to vanquish

—years on, the memory has not diminished.