Poem
Julius Chingono
A YOUNG BOY\'S DAY
A YOUNG BOY\'S DAY
A YOUNG BOY\'S DAY
My mother goes collectingall forms of plastic
like the wind
for sale.
After school
I stand
by the beer hall exit
selling loose cigarettes
to people who can afford them
one at a time.
The stench of beer
urine
and belching mouths
makes me sneeze.
But today
I mingle with drunks
like I’m playing
with my classmates
at school break.
I live in two worlds
that collide
every time mother cries
about my unpaid school fees.
© 1995, Julius Chingono
Publisher: First published on PIW in a special Zimbabwean edition, 10th June 2008,
Publisher: First published on PIW in a special Zimbabwean edition, 10th June 2008,
Poems
Poems of Julius Chingono
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A YOUNG BOY\'S DAY
My mother goes collectingall forms of plastic
like the wind
for sale.
After school
I stand
by the beer hall exit
selling loose cigarettes
to people who can afford them
one at a time.
The stench of beer
urine
and belching mouths
makes me sneeze.
But today
I mingle with drunks
like I’m playing
with my classmates
at school break.
I live in two worlds
that collide
every time mother cries
about my unpaid school fees.
A YOUNG BOY\'S DAY
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