GHAAP - Sonnets from the Northern Cape

Ghaap
Sonnets from the Northern Cape
by Michael Cope

1 Anyone

Those who knew the way of the land

and tracked the sense wherever it went

are hooked to the water-pump, tied by the hand –

their stories are lost and their potion is spent.

When the last hectare has been fenced and bound

to ownership, and the animals told

where to go, and killed if they don’t,

and it’s all understood and it’s all written down,

there won’t be anyway left to go,

there won’t be anyone left to see,

there won’t be anyhow left to show,

there won’t be anywhere left to be.

When it’s all used up and we’re thrown to the crows
there won’t be anyone left who knows.