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A Love Letter To Myself
Still learning to find who it is I see when I look in the mirror. Still learning to find meaning in failure and success. Still learning to say my name in a kinder way. Still learning to taste what my mother tongue really is like in my mouth when I talk to my grandfather and the guiding lights before him.
I’m sometimes broken to pieces by the way I speak to myself. I need to breathe more. Smile more. To find the octave in which my soul expresses empathy. I forget sometimes.
The Right to Be
When I was a child, I spoke like a man. I sang songs that spoke life into The very core of my people. I taught my lips to bless all that blessed me. I am a child of the soil and my feet are firm and grounded. My roots reach the core of Mother Earth and I can hear Her gentle Lullaby calming my fears of the pending Nomadic spiritual meander ahead. Her voice seeps into my roots as she sings over me. I am covered with the Mother’s Song.Pilgrims from afar prune my zealous branches As they inch past on their way to the unpromised land. I allow men to step into my aura and sip my energy. I allow women to impart to me wisdom of the oppressed And I let them all bask in the scent of my blossoms Of subtle mantras that glide out of my African lips.My hair is long and wiry and imparts a history Of ethnic pride. I am a gentle soul, My voice permeates generations and reverberates Truth and tolerance. I am new, old, and talented. I have no regrets for who I have become. I am happy to be what I will become, For I know I am on a path to fulfillment.I am different from you. I am different from all. I have a face that is ready to smile And brighten the dimmest of days. I have known friends. I have unknown friends. I am judged by those who might never meet or know me.
I owe no explanation to anyone. I am. I breathe. I love. I cry. I bleed. I am here.
Frank Malaba © 2018. All rights reserved.
— Frank Malaba
Frank Malaba is an actor, playwright and a published poet. He was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa. He has performed on stage and television in both countries. He has a passion for using poetry, storytelling and theatre as a method of healing for both himself and others. His poetry has been presented both at home and abroad. Frank is currently developing a two-man play entitled “Broken Pathways” which will be touring internationally. In 2014 Frank was recognized by Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans as an Achiever in the category of Arts & Culture. View all posts by Frank Malaba
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