Alvin Kathembe

Johannesburg/Nairobi

Poet, Student Pilot, budding philosopher

URL: http://www.writerscafe.org/TMA

Twitter:@ThatManVizzle

Four Easy Steps to Success – For Dummies

A Poem by Alvin L. Kathembe

Tandi Kathembe

Radio host/Aspiring writer

Tanzania

BRIGHT PINK TOES

I had pretty feet once
Flawless, smooth and unlined
And I loved to show them off
Like trophies of a life without hardship

Now I cover them up
To hide accumulated scars
Unwanted blemishes that carry stories
Stories of effort, toil and injury

Tonight, I paint my toes bright pink
Representing hope, faith and prayer
The light that will one day illuminate my dark existence
Pink, against a backdrop of black and brown

I wish that one day I will love my scars
The imperfections that define my life
Knowing that the journey is finally over
And let the peace of the Lord wash over me

 

Alvin Kathembe

Port Elizabeth/Capetown, SA

Poet, Student Pilot, budding philosopher

URL: http://www.writerscafe.org/TMA

Twitter:@ThatManVizzle

A Belt That Fits

Skinny little fellow, I am.
I never could find
A belt that fits
So I’d walk around
With one several sizes too wide
So every few steps
I’d have to stop and hoist my trousers
Back up somewhere decent…
It never bothered me much
You know how I am
With things like that…

You made me get a belt that fits
Not that you said anything
Or complained, or suggested it, no;
You made me get a belt that fits
’Cause, you see,
It drove me half mad
Walking beside you
And having to free my hands up
Every few strides or so.

You made me get a belt that fits;
You see, that was the only way;
It was the only way I could walk beside you
Without ever having
To let go of your hand.