Spend no tears
Say no prayers
for the man in
the concrete cage
True, no glimmer
of light beckons
at the end of
the long corridor
of his "future"
Even a whisper
of a trial never
reaches his ear.
True, no visitor
calls at his moss-
lined cell to tell
him the time and
integer of year.
Only the gaoler
bringing his meagre
ration of mildewed
biscuits and piss-
like tea that start
up painfully again
his festering ulcer.
Still, say no prayer
Spend no tears
for this comrade in
the concrete cage.
he has his honour
But for you and I
who daily stroll
under the sun with
fear-locked tongues
you and I who have
doubly pawned
our lives for lies
You and I
who bicker at
the government
yet pay our taxes
rant against
the censor yet
subscribe to the
national paper
For you and I, mister
who walk these
city's barren streets
in a midday stupor
save your prayers
and shed your tears
for you and I
walk without honour.
