Siphiwe ka Ngwenya

While other

would-be men

trudge the bushes

of the mountain tip

to be circumsized and

advised

by their elders

who know the thorny

road of life

you

woman

circumsized me

with the bitter

sweet taste of my blood

drawing images

on our lovebed

words whispered

shining

with compassion

into my ears

sinking in my heart

deeper than

the monotonous verse

of the initiator

so when I walked again where my feet walked

many years gone by

I could feel you

and I was born again

crowing of cocks

bleating of sheep

bellowing of bulls

birds singing on trees

when the sky’s tears

began to fall

thinking

alone in my room

searching deep

joyful memories

came to haunt me

my rooted past

I saw you coming

only fate setting us apart

I resisted an ocean

welling in my eyes