Donkey Cry Poem by Marota Aphane

We are tied
We are tired
We labour
30 hours a day
To reap whip

We are tied
We are tired
We labour
Oog-klapped1
Never to see
Our brothers and sisters
On the roadsides
Shot dead
For free drinking
Their fountain water
For sale

We are tied
We are tired
We labour
Lips sealed
As they feed sweet
From the sweat of our dried brows
& we creep and crawl
To pick-up crumbs
Of the fruits of our labour

Today
We lay down the yoke
Our diligent hands
Aren’t for sale


1. Eye pets used to stereotype donkeys