Beasts of Nalunga II Poem by Jack Mapanje

Beasts of Nalunga seize
their time when the land
is dry and cave panthers
rip out the frogs that might
shelter them; torrential rains
are then unleashed, dragging
away fire places, gobbling
up jars, pots, ladles, hoes,
calabashes; sending homes
tumbling down canyons,
swirling with people's cattle,
sheep, goats, dogs, chicken -
the lot, as men, women,
children fumble, knock
about, forever sashaying
to nondescript labyrinths
en route to distant waters
and lakes, seas and oceans.