Gedicht
John Eppel
Jasmine
Jasmine
Jasmine
When they cried of freedom, when the sweetmingling of woodsmoke and jasmine
with dust: grass, granite, antelope
bone: gathered into wrists which turned
light the colour of blood, darkness
a memory of the colour
of blood – when their voices lifted
that song and sent it echoing
across Africa, I knew it.
Sibanda had taught it to me.
Polishing the family\'s shoes,
squatting outside the scullery
door. We both wore khaki trousers
many sizes too big; no shirt,
no shoes. I spat on the toecaps
while he brushed; and while he brushed
we sang: "Nkosi sikele\'
iAfrica . . . " over and over
till the birds joined in. August birds.
" . . . maluphakamiso phondo lwayo . . . " *
It comes back to me, this August,
now that the jasmine is blooming
and the air is stilled by woodsmoke;
how they cried freedom, and how I
knew their song. A lingering chill
pinches Zimbabwean sunsets
in the cheeks of my children
squatting beside me as I write.
It is their song too. I teach it
to them, over and over, till
my tired eyes are pricked with tears
held back, sweet smoke, dust and jasmine.
© 1995, John Eppel
From: Sonata for Matabeleland
Publisher: Snailpress, Plumpstead and Baobab Books
* Xhosa words of the South African national anthem which in Shona,
Ndebele and English versions was Zimbabwe\'s first national anthem:
"God bless Africa ... Raise its name high"
From: Sonata for Matabeleland
Publisher: Snailpress, Plumpstead and Baobab Books
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Jasmine
When they cried of freedom, when the sweetmingling of woodsmoke and jasmine
with dust: grass, granite, antelope
bone: gathered into wrists which turned
light the colour of blood, darkness
a memory of the colour
of blood – when their voices lifted
that song and sent it echoing
across Africa, I knew it.
Sibanda had taught it to me.
Polishing the family\'s shoes,
squatting outside the scullery
door. We both wore khaki trousers
many sizes too big; no shirt,
no shoes. I spat on the toecaps
while he brushed; and while he brushed
we sang: "Nkosi sikele\'
iAfrica . . . " over and over
till the birds joined in. August birds.
" . . . maluphakamiso phondo lwayo . . . " *
It comes back to me, this August,
now that the jasmine is blooming
and the air is stilled by woodsmoke;
how they cried freedom, and how I
knew their song. A lingering chill
pinches Zimbabwean sunsets
in the cheeks of my children
squatting beside me as I write.
It is their song too. I teach it
to them, over and over, till
my tired eyes are pricked with tears
held back, sweet smoke, dust and jasmine.
From: Sonata for Matabeleland
* Xhosa words of the South African national anthem which in Shona,
Ndebele and English versions was Zimbabwe\'s first national anthem:
"God bless Africa ... Raise its name high"
Jasmine
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