Windy Day from Ownership by Mthakathi

all those souls
i hear a song in the blustery sky
all those souls
is it for them, or for us that we cry?

the dust cloud stampeded across the turnpike
sheets of littered paper whirled and danced
wings of airplanes teetered as they landed
and i said to myself "this isn't happenstance"
woza moya (come spirit)

today the crestfallen gather in their grief
the heartbroken sit in the dirt with head in hand
somewhere a dog whines for no apparent reason
a collective sigh blankets all the land
woza moya!

all those souls
brushing their fingers across every face
all those souls
reminding us not to lose our place

the car had trouble staying in the lane
the powerlines like jump-ropes in full swing
the clouds, they seemed to move deliberately
like the elders gathering to council the king
woza moya

because today the disconcerted will look for guidance
the angry will rattle sabers and bang drums
the frightened will rant about security
the wise will ask, "how far have we come?"
woza moya

all those souls
they signal caution when we're on the wrong track
all those souls
they whisper louder than the fool can shout back

i've watched them caress the veldt grass in transkei
i've heard them whistle down wall street's corridors
i've seen them shake the tea trees of nuwara eliya
and felt them pounding carolina's shores

i know they kiss the cheek of the starving child
and kick sand into the tyrant's murderous eyes
and cool the stinging burns on the migrant's back
you know i've seen them rip the flags behind emperors telling lies
woza moya

all those souls
tapping at windows and toppling walls
all those souls
i hear it as a clarion call

all those souls
bending crops and shutting dynamos down
all those souls
i believe they're all around
all those souls
busting glass and leaving candles lit
all those souls
you can hear their message if you just listen to it
all those souls
feel it in your skin, i think you'll find
all those souls
not a single one of us has been left behind

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