Memories of Zimbabwe

Africa Recalled

Recollections of African friendships

Last night I sat in the half-dark of the theatre

watching and listening to Black Umfolosi;

seeing the ghosts of yesterday

moving silently in the shadows.

Moyo, Mangate, Takawira, Msikavanhu;

so close I could almost touch them

- almost hear their breathing.

I heard the voices calling from the stage

echoing louder than the distance of time;

bringing past and present together

in one loud dreaming moment.

Matambo, Ganza, Bepete, Chapurinyemba;

all ghosts from the distant past

- fleshed out by the men of today.

Colin Gordon-Farleigh © 2000