A Dance with Grief by SIBONGUMUSA NCUBE
Like a violent lover, I grab you by the shoulders
and shout in your face until my voice grows
hoarse
I will not be ignored, I refuse it
I will burden your body with heavy, heavy aches
and you will shoulder the burden alone, my dear Atlas I
will gleefully gnaw on your weary bones
until it is all you can do to not throw yourself into my abyss I
am not here to heal you
I am here to break your spirit and when I am done
I will come for the rest of you until there is nothing left
Sibongumusa Ncube was a transfer student from Zimbabwe.