It Was Not Easy
You were crying, whining like a sickly infant
You thought you were earning but you became unhappy instead
The money was too little,
It could not suffice
You would budget the amount for the head tax, dog tax, hut tax, dip tax,
As you search your pocket, you gape when you discover little left
Even though it was little
You could buy only two or three things
Since they were affordable
Cast your eye on factory workers
Early in the morning they are up
They would walk till they get to work
And get there tired
The intestines are singing a song of woe
As they report the festival of great hunger
They will be yoked and pull hard
As if they will get something great in return, yet they will receive so little
Just to keep them alive and have power to continue generating more slaves
Come month-end
Demonstrations all over
They are now dancing the dance of yore
Agitating for better
As they fight for their rights the boys of the law appears
Looking extremely anger
They mouth vibrating like an angry white man’s dog
Tear gas will be spread
This sjambok will do its work on the worker
Those found in a gathering beware
What are you planning?
You have violated state laws
You will be arrested and thrown into crowded jails
And as you return to work you meet the one expression
“You are fired”
Next comes depression, desperation
They taxes are eagerly waiting for you
The mother of your children is also waiting for that same amount
Since her barren land is a cow that will not produce even a single drop of milk
Oh! Is that where we are returning to now?
Is history repeating its self
Are we drawing close to that same cliff again
Ah! Beautifully nation! Let us be alert lest disaster occurs