Born To Raise A Man

Bandile Gumbi

Son of my sister
My son

The embers of resistance
Are now sown
In the flicker of your eyes

I leave this story
To mould
The man born of woman

Son of my sister
My son

You who were conceived
When freedom was an embryo
Born at the awakening
Of yet another revolution
The burden of your future
Is in the hands
That will raise you

You who will take root
When another imperialist power
Is in the market for your identity
When destruction
Does not come only in nuclear weaponry
But fed on all your senses
Filling some with senselessness

Son of my sister
My son

I don’t aim
To define your manhood
But to nurture the women in your genes
Their strength shall complete your initiation
To a world of mudslides
And volcanic ramblings
May your walk in dignity
Your birthright
Bend only to guide your step
Never to compromise your principles

Son of my sister
My son

I pray for your hands
Never to be raised in anger
But in exhilaration
As you overcome
Yet another stumbling block
May your dreams be filled with guiding force
At the depth of your youthful confusion
To usher you to clarity

Son of my sister
My son
You who are born of women.

LitNet: 20 December 2005

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