Blackness

taking a walk in SA, pre-1989

I have no idea what its like to be
You.

I stumble,
not falling forward; putting out
my hands towards
the dirty pavement
and You,
rushing fast along
the heat-rising street
in the opposite direction
to the
chanting masses singing
their anger and
my fear.

You walk ahead
of me;
not knowing how
I follow
and thank you
for being black
and walking the same way I do.

I mean...the same direction.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​