Xenophobia (We Live in Times of Fear)

Xenophobia (We Live in Times of Fear)

We live in times
Of fear for foreigners
Just because they are foreigners,
Hate for outsiders
Just because they are outsiders.
The vuvuzela
Which once called us to unity
Now summons us against ourselves.
(The vuvuzela)
Which once showered us with songs
Now whacks us with dirges.
(The vuvuzela)
Which once sounded like a swarm
(In the white man's fear)
Now sounds like tongues (in his ears).
We live in times of fear
He is a foreigner whose cough
Lithers the environment.
We live in times of hate
He is an outsider whose sneeze's
A sudden storm
In the peace of public pocket.
Elephant tusk,
Must you murder foreigners
'Till Table Mountains moan?
Secretary bird, must you rape outsiders
'Till diverse rivers roar?
Vuvuzela, what happened
To the love of Tinabantu?
Vuvuzela, what happened
To the spirit of Ubuntu?
When will you tame
The paws of Xenophobia?
When will you give rest
To the soul of Mandela?
O elephant tusk
That encircles ears of wheat,
Let the secretary bird
Arise in rebirth
Of the spirit! ...

Copyright 2019
Fareed Agyakwah, also known as the author of A child's Poetry for Peace, is an award-winning Ghanaian poet, author, and literary eagle celebrated for his contributions to contemporary African literature. His writing regularly centers on themes of peace, universal humanity, cultural identity, and social change. He is at odds over anything that sabotages the resolve of truth. His poem here explores themes of fear, systemic scapegoating, and the burning plea for pan-African unity in response to xenophobic violence. The strength of the poem is in the very fact that it grapples with the paradox of African unity versus regional hatred. The poem first gained literary prominence when it was published in the Best New African Poets 2019 Anthology. He is still working on his upcoming book Harmattan Bells and Bamboo Joy.

Author: Fareed Agyakwah

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