A description of the creation and recording of our performance piece can be found here.
Akuhlanga lungehlanga
it has not fallen
before it has fallen
Liberty
it’s a revolution
a freedom song
loud and carefree
Free will
a small house with
small windows
a homecoming to
feasting devils
decoration for a white
and silver coffin
Imagination
the trick
is not to mind
The mind
a cow held captive
uyinkomo esesitrobheni
Follow the drinking gourd
the northern stars
to a mountain that
sinks into the sea
an ocean rising above it
* * *
Voëlvry
meaning free
as a bird
free as an outcast
a fugitive
meaning
without borders
meaning
without meaning
Freedom is a jealous child
a mumbled prayer
for the dying
a nightmare dream of falling
to the abyss
its fleeting images
of night
A twisted smile
an untouchable gift
an uneaten fruit
red-faced, spittle-spraying
anger, an angel faithful
to your deliverance
a dizzy figure skater
in the fortune teller’s
clouded mirror
* * *
Indlovu ayisindwa ngumboko wayo
an elephant is not burdened
by its own trunk
Amatsha ntliziyo ngawo ahleliyo
truth sets you free
Sweet release!
Truth is that knife slipping
across your fingertips
a rubik’s cube
a squawking guineafowl
dodging traffic
a dream incinerated
A prayer for
the children
an ocean the size
of a raindrop
in freefall
free as vapour
free as air
or breath
* * *
A mythical bird
in an old baobab
forever young
A monster
misunderstood
a monstrous
misunderstanding
Mind forged manacles
mental freedom
Break down the walls!
Reclaim the streets!
Spring to the mountains!
ukuntingela entabeni!
ukuntingela entabeni!
* * *
A life without freedom
is a body
without a soul
Akuhlanga lungehlanga
it has not fallen before
it has fallen
that window
on darkness
that mirror
of disparity
* * *
Vryheid!
Vryheid!
Vryheid!
Freedom is trying
to pronounce
itself
to say itself
speaking in the tongues
of liberty
of nakedness
Inkululeko
* * *
Free speech
is the key
to jail cell doors
a white lie exposing
subtle truth
without shadow
without reflection
a constant nightmare
a fading dream
Inkululeko
freedom is a naked
fugitive
unchained
* * *
Voëlvry
a bird
untethered
Ukhululekile
a falcon
set free
Wathinta abafazi
you strike a woman
wathinta imbokodo
you strike a rock
Voestek!
* * *
Ukugqabadula
is to gallop away
to flee to freedom
Limping, wounded
pale as death
at the shining hour
the unnavigable river
flowing through boulders
a dance
with unknown steps.
Ibalek’u moya
free as wind
as air
as breath
An angel with black wings
a weeping willow
a circus dream
loud and carefree
a feral creature
I’d rather die
on my feet
than live as a secret
than live
on my knees
* * *
Ibalek’u moya
free as wind in
a hawk’s wings
Voëlvry
a fugitive
on the loose
a dream bird
Akuhlanga lungehlanga
it has not fallen
before it has fallen
though it will always fall
that window on darkness
that mirror of disparity
Akuhlanga lungehlanga
Akuhlanga lungehlanga