Ike Mboneni Muila

Muyahavho don’t cry

please don’t cry

kale kale

rit she vhatuku

gone are the days

we were young

vha tshi ri

ndi gukulume

illness tolerance

ri tshi la

muno na madi

water and salt

muyahavho don’t cry

please don’t cry

half a loaf of bread

for you to eat

without tea to drink

take it cool

as it is

much better

please don’t cry

early in the morning

you walk to school

no money for lunch

a little smile

you reserve release depression

promote a sense

of awareness

don’t cry

please don’t cry

your teacher

in the classroom

questions

loud and loud

in your head for the missing answer

you and me

forget not

the resort

to end the beginning

of our separate world

don’t panic

please don’t cry

one hungry afternoon

you walk into the kitchen

you opening doors

of the kitchen unit

the pots are empty

no crumbs inside

everything

is speak and span

nothing

is left for you

don’t cry

please don’t cry

every dark cloud

has a silver lining

just stomach the pain

as if nothing

worries you

ungakhali akusizi

work all covered

your way out

don’t cry

please don’t cry