We are an odd human race; we come in different sizes and several skin colours. We have developed separate mother tongues within each nation.
We live nation alongside nation but not always in harmony. Many cannot even exist in harmony within our own population. Historical, religious, and cultural differences have played their part.
We should accept these differences and accommodate them; and recognise the diversity in our modern world. Borrowing the BBC motto “Nation shall speak peace unto nation”, many a nation needs to speak and seek peace within its own
population. Instead, rule by the gun, the baton, tear gas, exposes the inadequacies of the leaders of those nations. In power but inept.
My next poem recalls situations I encountered regarding apartheid in the 1970s. It can be found in BOOK TWO of POEMS BY AN OLD CODGER.
OH! FOR A PERFECT WORLD
The recent ‘Black Lives Matter’ demonstration
Prompted deep memories of visiting one African nation.
Apartheid and life for those who don’t fit in
With others who wish to dominate their pale skin.
Arrived in J’burg in ’76 on a very sunny day,
Opened my suitcase in the room where I was to stay.
Everything was there except one thing I now needed,
The fundamental advice I had not heeded.
No sun cream to protect my soft Welsh skin,
I’ll just pop out and buy a tube or even a tin.
A pharmacy was near-by and as I entered in
A large stand of skin whitening creams; was black a sin?
The following day, to the University of Witwatersrand
With my host, to discuss the research I had planned.
At the end of my visit my host was being called away
Apologised that there could be a long delay.
No problem, said I, not wanting a fuss,
I’ll just go and catch the bus.
I stood by the bus stop, but the buses went on by,
A white man was standing at the black man’s ‘byre’.
On a later tour, I paid a visit to Soweto College,
Equipped by Ford Motor, I should acknowledge.
Before I went to meet the staff assembled read
I stopped at the door to ‘spend a penny’.
‘No!’ said the Head, ‘That one’s for the black staff’,
If it wasn’t the norm, you’d have to laugh.
I saw the townships of Soweto and Alex’,
Conditions so bad I became perplexed.
Running to school along Swaziland’s dusty roads,
All dressed in clean and crisp school clothes,
The thirst for learning by all the young I met
Was something that I will never forget.
We don’t own land, we don’t own property,
We are just short-term custodians, with a duty
To protect this planet and all who on it dwell,
We have no right to force some to live in hell.
There are good people, evil people,
Lazy people, hard-working people,
For all those at variance living on this earth
Don’t damn the lot straight from their birth.
Copyright 2023 Neil Davies
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Neil.
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