A Poem by Sizakele Phohleli

From the Book: letters to cinnamon
















elohay kedem.
sonini nanini.
qamata.
ngonyama yezulu. undikhoyo.
nzonzobila.
maxhoba ayakhawuleza.
liwa laphakade. gxalaba libanzi.
mvelinqangi.
el de’ot. emet.
yeshuati. yishi.
nzwakazi. kukhanya okungapheliyo.
yesu.
ngqongqoshe.
bunzulu bolwandle.
el hagadol.
this is how I best know
to worship you.
el elyon.
this is how my knees bend,
head bow and arms stretch
to your temple.
elah sh’maya v’arah.
these words are my worship psalms
and gratitude devotions to you.
elohay selichot. marom.
tzidkaynu. yahuveh o’saynu.
yireh. shalom.
these are my burnt offerings
to you.
elohay tehilati.
yeshua.
linoe.
the everlasting lion of juda.
ilitha lam.
umama.
my first word.
the first god I have ever touched.
my first place of worship.
this is everything you have
prepared me for.
this is why everything happened
the way it did.
this is why makhulu was born.
this is why you left home.
this is why they left.
this is why you survived.
this is how I honour your name.  

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