Category: Poetry

by Okota Ching’oma The  echoes of the noise grates my ears Echoes of bells clanging, clanging,  warm taut drums pulsating Pulsating Do I choose the bells? Or the drums? Echoes of a trumpet now, Is there any rest...

by Alpha Chizuzu Your little hand clings on to my finger  Yearning for comfort Your eyes open wide, your vision still blurry Your face, not fully formed Inarticulate but still so beautiful I look down at you  suckling on your...

by Tamanda Kanjaye Second prize winning poem of the 2020 Makewana’s Daughters Competition   Little Boy,   I know you’ve been fed a toxic meal Of toughening up and never caring Of taking every single blow Without ever...

  by Monica Machado First prize winning poem in the 2020 Makewana’s Daughters Competition    by Monica Machado I can write you a poem on six days About how the Earth changed after you left On the seventh day We need to...

                            by Zozo Nadimba                  The first time I died, my exodus passed me by,And I let it,Every night whilst my sanity...

By Mary Khumalo The silence of the nightDreadful feelings of fearAnger of the butchersIn search of golden limbsTwisted in agony of painWhen the throat is slittedThe silent criesOf a mother who labouredTo birth a childOne that’s...

  Our love was warm Our love was whole Our love was home Only for the summer. Because after summer came fall, The fall of us. After seasons of learning the art of Biting my tongue to erase your taste Holding my breath to keep...

by Sarah Chikuni   I am a daisy; growing parallel to the sky, I am bright and warm; catching everyone’s eye. I am generous with what I have; and I never complain, I was raised to be humble; and always share my gain       I am an...

The young ones, new at the gameYank upon me, their inexperience lending itselfto tight, rough grips that leave my smooth skin raw.I let them, without saying anything.This is what it is to be handled by most men -Uncaring,...

Third Prize winner, 2019 Makewana Poetry Competition     He said he wanted to paint me, That I needed another shade or two. He said I was far too ugly, And needed to be decorated in something new.   But his paint brushes were...