A Desert In Winter

When the beauty of a face can hide a bad character

So too can the walls of a house hide the story within

I could tell you of corruption but that's no blur

So let me tell you about the life that a South African youth has no choice but to endure

Externally, aesthetically pleasing

Internally, a chest crushing and wheezing

Externally, upon the so called lower class disgustingly teasing

Internally within the broken paint canvas, I lay there night after night silently freezing

No lunchbox today, but the explanation behind to whom will I say?

My water mixes with last weeks juice, swallow I must, with force it will be

But no choice I have for when will I quench this hunger again?

Today? Tomorrow? Or maybe later from the salty sea.

"I was out with my friends so don't be so uptight!!!"

I answer her with attitude but what else could I do

Jobless and frustrated, no money he has

Not even for a pen, not a rand nor two

I wear no jacket because the green I was short

And the days go by, day after day, and i keep wondering for what lesson am I being taught

The candle was there but not a match nor a cent

And today, disappointment looks me straight in the face for now I have failed with a simple naught

Surrounded by five rooms and a dried-out waterfall

Filthy pool water and weeds a meter tall

Five units left on the electricity box

How will I now hide that afford we cannot even a sock

"Don't open the tap! Don't bath for a few days!"

"The bill I cannot afford, but I've cleaned their toilet so please wait till my job pays..."

"No jacket for you to wear and no detergent to clean your clothes but believe me oh child! I truly do care"

"On you this is not fair but for a few more days a smile you must wear"

"What's that smell?" repeatedly they ask, "oh, maybe it's the bin"

"Oh guys relax, relax would you, it's me, it's me, a simple morning mishaps with a tuna tin"

But lie I must, what choice do i have, to tell the truth is not a possibility

Because who would believe anything else from a child in a seven bedroom house protected by Fidelity...

"I tried calling you last night but no answer there was"

"Did you get the link I shared with you?"

"Oh sorry, oh sorry, my phone got stolen"

But in fact all it was, was a contract of five months over-due

As I walked in from school, I knew something was wrong

For now they were here and were not for so long

All blood related eyes from uncle to brother

Everyone in sight except my beloved mother

"Has she run away?"

"No", father answered, but today she has no choice but to give cancer way, on this day her life was taken;

But she couldn't let you write your final exam heart-broken, so her last chance to see you was forsaken;

But don't doubt her love for you my child because for sure you will be mistaken"

But why? Why!

Why is this what it is?

What has caused this?

Who is to blame for this?

Four-cornered walls and a crack and a hole

Yet there a palace but only because they stole

In a country with an epitome of beauty

Yet realisation is still to dawn upon you for knowledge you have not of shame nor duty

Old time malice still alive so bright

Yet I see no end nor ray of light

Who am I? Who am I?

I am the child with a rope around my neck and not a will to fight...

-TheVintageOutcast