I’m not racist (or anything)

But

A librarian-local also does it

Responding to my suggestion
that I take a donated chess-clock
to a chess coach I met in Site C

I’m not racist (or anything)

But

A librarian-local also does it

they’re not just your
humble book-wardens
custodians of tomes
beautifying library shelves

I’m just a librarian
brought up in the way
conditioned in the way

perhaps schooled too
perhaps educated too

the mind-set set
a group mentality
stoned by apartheid’s
germ warfare
of separate development

I’m not racist (or anything)

But
We are all free
But

Chess aficionado Mr Vincent Abrahams’ generous donation of 2 handsome chess-sets, a chess-clock, chess and bridge books, a box of National Geographic brings forth this one, what with a librarian-local pondering upon my Khayelitsha meanderings, the afternoon of February 18 2016.

Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “War” – banned here back then – and John Cowlin’s “‘Racial straitjacket’ still rules” (Cape Times, February 2 2016) and “Only one race: the human race” (Cape Times, February 17 2016) are (my) references.