Poem
Chirikure Chirikure
Heroes Day holiday
It is Heroes Day holiday,To commemorate those
Who put their country first
And thought nothing of themselves.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
Beer-halls are packed to bursting,
Beer mugs and bottles are dancing in hands
As carousers drink beyond drinking.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
Some have already paired off illicitly,
The bush is on fire – some in dongas, others in cars
As they exchange STDs in the false name of love.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
The rich and powerful
Dance their intrigue games round braais
As they weave new plans for the next plunder.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
The whole nation is awash with joy,
Somewhere, worms are feeding on the heroes,
The heroes’ families are in deep mourning.
It is Heroes Day holiday, is it?
© Translation: 2004, Charles Mungoshi
Izororo ramagamba nhai?
Izororo ramagamba nhai?
Izororo ramagamba,Kuremekedza vaya,
Vakaisa nyika mberi,
Upenyu hwavo kumashure.
Izororo ramagamba,
Mabhawa akati pa-a,
Zvikari, mabhotoro, zviri kuzeya,
Ronwiwa zvese nevana varo.
Izororo ramagamba,
Mvana nemachinda adzo,
Ibishi mumakwenzi, makoronga, nemumotikari,
Kupana njovhera murudo rwekunyepera.
Izororo ramagamba,
Vane mari nemasimba,
Vari kunzveyesana, nyama dzichigochwa,
Uku vachiruka mazano ekumora imwe mari.
Izororo ramagamba,
Nyika yose iri mujakwatira rorufaro,
Magamba ari kudyiwa nehonye,
Mhuri dzavo dziri mumisodzi.
Izororo ramagamba, nai?
© 1989, Chirikure Chirikure
From: Rukuvhute
Publisher: College Press, Harare
From: Rukuvhute
Publisher: College Press, Harare
Poems
Poems of Chirikure Chirikure
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Heroes Day holiday
It is Heroes Day holiday,To commemorate those
Who put their country first
And thought nothing of themselves.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
Beer-halls are packed to bursting,
Beer mugs and bottles are dancing in hands
As carousers drink beyond drinking.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
Some have already paired off illicitly,
The bush is on fire – some in dongas, others in cars
As they exchange STDs in the false name of love.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
The rich and powerful
Dance their intrigue games round braais
As they weave new plans for the next plunder.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
The whole nation is awash with joy,
Somewhere, worms are feeding on the heroes,
The heroes’ families are in deep mourning.
It is Heroes Day holiday, is it?
© 2004, Charles Mungoshi
From: Rukuvhute
From: Rukuvhute
Heroes Day holiday
It is Heroes Day holiday,To commemorate those
Who put their country first
And thought nothing of themselves.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
Beer-halls are packed to bursting,
Beer mugs and bottles are dancing in hands
As carousers drink beyond drinking.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
Some have already paired off illicitly,
The bush is on fire – some in dongas, others in cars
As they exchange STDs in the false name of love.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
The rich and powerful
Dance their intrigue games round braais
As they weave new plans for the next plunder.
It is Heroes Day holiday,
The whole nation is awash with joy,
Somewhere, worms are feeding on the heroes,
The heroes’ families are in deep mourning.
It is Heroes Day holiday, is it?
© 2004, Charles Mungoshi
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