The Bravery Of A Stolen Heart

Ndaba Sibanda

Bonani traversed beyond the small and big hills
Beyond the singing mountains and valleys

The bushes were full of thorns and roots
And were a well-known refuge for snakes

He braved windy or chilly nights
And the frightening sounds of owls

Whoo whooo whooo whooo
Hoo hoo hoo hoo

Maybe the owls were hooting:
Who cooks for you?

Who cooks for you-all?
Who cooks for you?

Were the witches and wizards
Not stalking him too?

What about the infamous ghost
Over Nkanyezi bridge?
Was it not said to be stubborn?
Was it not said to be talkative and slippery?

Sometimes he heard dogs bark
Sometimes there was some grunting

Jackals howled and snakes hissed
Lions roared but he was undeterred

At times the night`s darkness
Was blinding and confusing

But Bonani groped for the path
And rummaged through the bushes

Sometimes the rivers were flooded
Sometimes the rain pounded

For Bonani it was just a delay
He usually reached his destination

His destination kept his heart
Beyond the hills and valleys

Beyond the streams and rivers
Someone had stolen his heart