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In this body, I’ve known love. I’ve known despair and joy held together by a vulnerable thread of near invisible hope. At times these have been my only reasons for containing breath.
In this body, this fallible body, I’ve taunted death; fearfully so… in hopes of hopscotching in, out, ‘neath and over impressions of souls that have held me dear, but no longer here in forms I recognise.
This very body, seared by grief, has ripened my soul far too quick and kneaded my heart to a pulp. I walk the earth prepared to scrape and skin a knee… to clean other wounds while neglecting my own. But I keep scolding my inner spirit, “How will you heal others while you yourself limp and bleed” It works for a season, but loops back into old, hard to kill habits.
This stubborn body, never learns. It wants to make me make it proud, for hiding things where it knows I’ll find them. It hides joy in plain sight. Hides pride in my gait so I don’t think about it. It uses my voice as a purse for currency to buy my way into locked, unsuspecting ears with corridors that lead to flammable minds ready to burn new torches of unignited thought.
This very body, with its scars, cuts and bruises, keeps tipping in light’s direction- to reveal, heal in full exposure, what fear begs it not to write… what dread scolds it not to sing… what trepidation chokes from speaking… what doubt bullies it into not exploring… what prejudice atrophies it from believing.
This Here Body of Mine
is an actor, playwright, and published poet. He was born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and currently resides in Cape Town, South Africa. He has performed on stage and on 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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