native nostalgia, a prelude to the now
by Malebo Sephodi
when will we ever feel safe in the Mother City’s nest? Neng? Nini?
i long for a time when harmony between humans and nature was not a utopian
dream scattered by the patter of raindrops that threaten rooftops.
the rain that is no longer euphony or lullaby to hush you to slumber.
a storm is fast approaching, stay on higher ground, dig up trenches and unclog the drains
wailing voices choking within the Mother City echo code red, declare this a national emergency
belligerent tempest(s) warn of a time to come, a treaty between the mortals and the natural environment is needed!
displaced, confused, we’ve become strangers to the Mother City
are you going to listen to the wind, or are you going to wait for floating lilies to deliver seeds of condolences?
