My Neighbourhood

By Vusumzi Toto Matomane

My ghetto

is a composition

of sad tunes—

Sung in the dark,

Sung in the sunshine:

Roaring sounds of

the AK 47’s,

Squeaking wheels of

hijackers’ vehicle

From another robbery,

Sobs of the victim of

Rape;

next-door

And shattering china

& window-panes

By an abusive husband

Just across the street.

Copyright © Vusumzi Matomane 2010