Your tribe removes
the top third
of your womens little finger
when they are born
I do not believe in your spirits
In your fears of haunting
You stood in that carpark.
I would never have noticed you.
How long had you watched me?
How long had you watched me?
The girl in a black coat
smoking
by the third entrance
Your tribe removes
the top third
of your womens little finger
when they are born
You were out of your territory
Xhosa.
As I was out of mine.
I did not believe in your spirits
In your fears of haunting.
They will say I discriminate
by defining you by your tribe
but I did not know your name
Xhosa
And the only other word
I know for you
Is rapist.
Tallie Pascoe
http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/xhosa/