Maverick Life
I fought Apartheid from the couch: A poem for Hansie Cronje
Written by ANDREW MILLER.
yes, we did it
through those dark, bellowing times
we fought
we won
now,
it is done
but still – i can’t help it –
i’m not sure i really, truly got it
did we miss something, hansie?
was the effort enough?
i was with you
as you fought it
as you ran, and jumped it
outside, the wind blew, the sun moved
from the couch
i saw it all
your victory
mine
yes, we did it
we are through
those dark, bellowing times:
your victory
mine
and I will admit
there were moments
there were times
i thought it would slip
i worried the momentum would dip
and we would sink
back into ourselves
into those brutal blue winter afternoons
the echoing screams of mothers
with genitals pulled
children shocked
fathers clipped, and smacked and punched
but I fought it hansie
from that couch i fought it
i thought it
i hoped it
would all go away
and it did
and now the victory…
the knowledge i did all
within my range
from the fridge to the couch
and back again
i gave all i
and my people
had
i gave
the hope
that change would take us
gently
by the arm
to the green field
where the red ball rolls
and mothers tut over packed lunches
and the camera sucks the peace up
and shoots it out
to the houses
the couches
the kitchens of the families so loaded, so blunted
with the land fat
that the victory is untouchable, unknowable
like the past
like the people
like the lady who made the bed
and swept the floor
and sent us out into the world DM
ABOUT ANDREW MILLER: Andrew Miller is a Jo’burg based freelance writer and poet. He ghost-writes for a lot of fat bellies, CEO and politicians and has also spent a lot of time working and performing on the Jozi street arts scene. Find more of Miller’s writing at http://periodiccomposition.wordpress.com/.