TABOKA DUBE – POEMS

You wanted to know how i am spending these holy months
The truth
You come back to me in small oceans in waves of silence
And drowse me in tenderness
We are so full with a dancing air here
I keep saying
“We cannot weep in public, not for any small joy like this”
But my body betrays me
And speaks all of the things i cannot

We are walking through the streets and stop by the corner.
The trees chase the whistle in god’s voice
Until they are knock kneed
Bent to breaking
Bellies facing the sun. leaning
Closer
Into some listening air.

I trouble myself often, with things of little significance.
Like when the rain comes, dressed in some fine linen
Who will gather the winds skirt, who will say to her. Come down from there
We are not gods and that is way too high
and can’t you tell i am falling from somewhere.

I think also of these languages, this brilliant echo of love
How it bounces off our tongues
Make sure to soften my excitement.
let the vowels dance.
Tiptoe in this disco hall mouth of mine.
we saying many things here
Many things we know very little about.
It is important to have bathed in moonlight and honey first.

I graze my hand across this arm
Open palmed, this feeling i can’t shake
Of having stolen god’s sight.
And hold this body like a babe.

We are resting in tenderness You assure. Speakeasy
Breathe easy
Take Time

There are many things to say Beautiful things that will leave the sky falling

Come dressed in silk
Poised in a strange warmth
With a crown of flowers atop your head Meet me by the ocean
And i will come back to you
In waves of silence.