Shorty's Prayer: Shorty's Poems, #2

By Thabile Gloria Mtshali

Drinking in Melville's 7th Street one warm Johannesburg evening, after a respectable amount of beer, a pint-sized street urchin bounced across the sidewalk and asked if we'd like to hear some poetry.

"Why not?" we laughed. This was different. No outright begging. As a writer myself, I respected the effort being made.

Then she recited her poetry, and I suddenly understood what real writing sounded like.

Treat yourself. Read these poems. Let them reach inside and tug on strings you never knew you had.

Welcome to life on the colourful streets of Melville, Johannesburg.

 

This is Shorty's second collection of poetry. Check out Shorty's Poems, where it all started.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Burning Books
• Release date: Aug 15, 2022
• ISBN: 9781393734956

Book preview

Shorty’s prayer

BABA WETHU OSEZULWINI,

malingcweliswe igama lakho;

mawufike umbuso wakho;

mayenziwe intando yakho

emhlabeni njengasezulwini;

usiphe namuhla isinkwa sethu semihla ngemihla;

usithethelele amacala ethu,

njengalokhu nathi sibathethelela abasonayo;

ungasingenisi ekulingweni,

kodwa usikhulule kokubi;

ngokuba umbuso ungowakho, 

namandla, nenkazimulo, kuze kubephakade.

Nge gama lika Jesus Christ.

Amen.

Tears of a child

Tears of a child

Tears of a child

Tears of a child are being heard from a distance

A distance

A distant screaming and shouting for help

While a stranger is taking advantage of that little child

Who is young and confused

Tears of a child

Tears of a child

Tears of a child are being seen by a stranger walking far

Far

Far away

Screaming and crying for help

While the mother is drinking and drinking Alcohol in the street

Forgetting about the innocent child

Who is young and confused

Tears of a child

Tears of a child

Tears of a child are being pushed away with anger

To the other side of the