In the late afternoon,
That stale part of the day,
Thick clouds formed;
Black clouds,
Like Rain clouds.

When the clouds
Had shut off the Sun
They scattered large drops
Of liquid, like rain
On the hoofed dust.

And as the liquid drops
Struck
The hot October dust,
Cold scars remained
Where they stung and
Synched the earth,
Sending a thirsty earthy stench
Into the air,
As when rain drops fall
On parched African dust,
When the grass is burning,
When the landmines
Burst.

Yes
My Rhodesian friends;
Cold scars remain
Where you touched me,
Here in the heat of the cold light;
Cold cold scars
Remain.



Lusaka, 1967