A People lost
With all the time
But no space
Rootless regardless
Of heritage denied
A vision of those
Who have gone before
The raped
The tortured
The ridiculed
The abused
A People united
Divided together
A familiar
Local foreigner
A Nation unclaimed
Unwanted
Emulated
A People of wealth
Of strength
Of heart
Derivative of hate
Of commodity
Of life
Of death
A People diffused
Extended
Confused
By confusion
Related to all
We are you
You are a part of me
Divided we are one
United we grow
Into you
And you into me
Us together
A People that never was
Who isn’t now
But will forever be
A vision of those
Who have gone before
A People lost
With all the time
But no space
A People of hope
A People of courage
A People of colour
A People called Love
©Shelley Smidt-Booys 2016
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Absolutely wonderful! This made me think about the Xenophobic situation we recently had in SA.
Thank you! You you got one aspect right. It is partly about refugees and those seeking a better life here in South Africa but also it is for the mixed-race folk across the world who for are perceived to have no heritage. Our heritage stems from all. We are a part of all. Race should not matter. At the end of the day we’re all people who hurt, love and bleed the same.
Love it! Great poetry Shells!!
Thanks Chevone!
I feel this thing in my bones.
Coincindetally I’m listening to the song “Powerful” of Jussie Smollet and Alicia Keys while I reading this.
This is post is POWERFUL!
Thanks! This is the product of a years’ long reflection. Finally wrote it a few days ago and couldn’t decided whether to post or not. I wasn’t sure if the people it’s meant for would get it.