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KATCHIKALILenrie PetersWhat magic spells held the first men, wandering in darkness heads bowed to draw breath, refuge from toil and say this is our home Katchikali
And the crocodiles of anther world under you waters tame as pumpkins Katchikali
Katchikali, Katchikali the women weight – drowned towards the farms bend their kness and say a prayer Katchikali
Lovers under a fertile moon Pray for their children Katchikali
Hide – hunters will not Leave the peave unbroken Katchikali
Katchikali, Katchikali though birds make their music in the morning we do not hear though they spill sceptres in the evening we do not see we wither and crumble weeds in a torrent Katchikali But your wisdom is silent. we call to you there are no answers. We reach out to you Beyond ineffable darkness Children of despair Call out to you katchikaki Tearing out their virture They reach out to you katchikali Dying in a forgotten ambience Where ships no longer call Or ploug and hoot in haste But belch warm welcomes In the night Against the quivering gates Of the new cities of the plain.
And the crocodiles, watchful, Older than fossile Which kiss the heels of children Katchikali
And men strong as Baobabs Press-ganges to clear you Dense embraces The sweat of fear on their faces Plead with every fateful stroke “It is not I who destorys you it is not I Katchikali but those who would ignore your mysteries”
Katchikali, Katchikali Bring me children The I may show my face In the village market I the daughter of despair.
Old men sing songs When the moon is high Pray for their crops And homes though they be warrens.
But the new people do not understand will not understand Katchikali And all the institutions crumble.
As the mud hut crumbles Withers, all is base Seething self-interest and corruption And the demon of gain In your waters Katchikali.
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