Poem
Ethel Irene Kabwato
Dangamvura 1979
Dangamvura 1979
Dangamvura 1979
Gukurahundi came to DangamvuraMarking the birth of a new era
As we joined in the turmoil
The October rains
Pelting on the windows
Bullet fire drowning the downpour
Our laughter
Taking away the fear
And anxiety
As mother lay in hospital
Waiting for a child of war.
Shackled in chains
‘Vanamukoma’ smiled
A victory smile that haunted us
As Gukurahundi raged
And the agenda at Lancaster decided
We counted the victims
The bus driver at Raheen
The postmaster’s wife
Jarvis, the white farmer
Our fate hung in the air
As they sat down at Lancaster House
Our dreams of independence
Only a glimmer of hope.
© 2007, Ethel Irine Kabwato
Publisher: First published on PIW,
Publisher: First published on PIW,
Poems
Poems of Ethel Irene Kabwato
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Dangamvura 1979
Gukurahundi came to DangamvuraMarking the birth of a new era
As we joined in the turmoil
The October rains
Pelting on the windows
Bullet fire drowning the downpour
Our laughter
Taking away the fear
And anxiety
As mother lay in hospital
Waiting for a child of war.
Shackled in chains
‘Vanamukoma’ smiled
A victory smile that haunted us
As Gukurahundi raged
And the agenda at Lancaster decided
We counted the victims
The bus driver at Raheen
The postmaster’s wife
Jarvis, the white farmer
Our fate hung in the air
As they sat down at Lancaster House
Our dreams of independence
Only a glimmer of hope.
Dangamvura 1979
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