Poem

Mazisi Kunene

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Original language

POEMS SET ON FIRE

I shall invisibly follow you into the sacred vaults
Deep in the belly of earth where you hide your burning poems
From a distance watching you raise secret words as the torch
Nay, the comet illuminating the arc to the depths of sunsets

© Translation: 2007, Vusi Mchunu

IZINKONDLO ZEMILILO

IZINKONDLO ZEMILILO

Ngizokulandela wena uze ushone emgodini
Uze ushone lapho ufihle khona izinkondlo zakho
Ngize ngikubone usuzibasela usuzenza ubhaqa
Kuze kuthi klelele nakude emashona
Kube engathi uphethe izinkanyezi

© 1997, Mazisi Kunene
From: Igudu likaSomcabeko
Publisher: Van Schaik,

Mazisi Kunene

Mazisi Kunene

(South Africa, 1930 - 2006)

The heritage of Kunene, this great spokesman,
is without a doubt indispensable to the
restructuring of the foundation of the
reconstruction of the identity of the African
continent.
— Aimé Césaire

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Poems

Poems of Mazisi Kunene

FORSAKEN LOVE

POEMS SET ON FIRE

MAGIC LEAF

RETURN OF THE BIRD OF EXILE

THE HUNDREDTH SONG OF LOVE

the third eye

They also are children of the earth

Close

POEMS SET ON FIRE

I shall invisibly follow you into the sacred vaults
Deep in the belly of earth where you hide your burning poems
From a distance watching you raise secret words as the torch
Nay, the comet illuminating the arc to the depths of sunsets

© 2007, Vusi Mchunu
From: Igudu likaSomcabeko

POEMS SET ON FIRE

I shall invisibly follow you into the sacred vaults
Deep in the belly of earth where you hide your burning poems
From a distance watching you raise secret words as the torch
Nay, the comet illuminating the arc to the depths of sunsets

© 2007, Vusi Mchunu

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