Memory Zikhali, ZIMBABWE

LET ME BE......

Why won't you leave me alone

Let me have my peace

Let me be without you

Am tired of constantly waiting for you having to come second

Let me be the priority in my life for once

Let me be someone's first and only choice

I am tired of having to do for you what you will not do for me

You don't deserve me

You don't deserve my love

Many nights l slept alone with hopes that you would come back

Come back to me, to my bed and you did not

Many nights l could not sleep hoping that my phone would ring

and it was you asking me to open the door

Let me have my peace my mourning days are gone

Now I don't have to worry about you

You have no power over me not anymore

 No power on me

Now l watch you call in hopes that I will answer

I dare you, I dare you to dream because l will not pick up your call

I have no need for you now

I have no thirst for you

Not like that

you don't turn me on anymore

The butterflies l used to feel in my stomach have died

My heart doesn't beat for you anymore

For the lonely nights have taught me to be strong

Let me be without you; for once, leave me alone

FREE ME

Tarts we have been labelled as

Walking the streets, they whistle

Like dogs we obey

Loose cannons in date nights and in their beds, we will lay

The night waits idle to devour us

And day to condone us

From the pain of losing our virginity to the pain of child bearing we endure it all

Strong in the midst of our tame we subdue

Pure in heart and soul we deem

Perfect we fight to befit

Horrors of our strangled nights

We are constrained by the demons we carry within

In sorrow we find solace

In his arms we are safe

In darkness we sprout

Feed me with anguish

I know not to be without torment

He's my drug l get high

Stupefied in your presence

I am numb

I am feeble

Free me

I AM A LADY

I know when l said

Yes, l drink you calculated

Added and subtracted your maths

Striping me down to nothing

Striping me down to loose canon

You didn't except a lady, did you?

You didn't expect class

I could see it in your eyes tracing my dress

Looking at me the same way l look at cake

I took your breath away l know l did

I wore that dress on purpose

So, l drank with grace and got drunk with class

Smiled with a charm l knew turned you on

I could see it in your eyes

Watching my lips as l spoke

Ohh yes, l intentionally wore that water proof blood red lipstick

Its matte effect works well with my eyes and the way l curve my lips when l smile

Did you think we ladies are stupid?

Just because you said let's go for drinks it doesn't mean

l cannot read between the lines

We know your intentions

So, like a lady l carry myself and you will drop me home tonight

and l will say thank you for the drinks

and not invite you in

and call it a night

Like a lady l will walk steadily in my 6-inch heels, sway my hips

And walk away

Leaving your manhood and pride in shame

Memory Zikhali, studying theatre in Germany, is a poet, dancer, choreographer, actress, singer, musician and songwriter. She plays the African instruments Marimba, mbira and percussion, and has performed in international and local productions, theatres, circus companies and in Festivals. Her poems have been published in ‘The Upinsmoke Poetry CNR’ and ‘The Standard’ newspapers and some of her poems are awaiting publication in different anthologies. She started learning theatre and art at a very young age, joined the drama club in primary school and high school. She also attended local/ international Academies for education l and art like Music Crossroads, College of Music, UMOJACFC, Almasi Theater company. Theathro Pikollo, Jungel Wien Theater company.  As a singer, dancer and theatre artist, she has worked with (ie) Indoni, Wanai & the Blue Band, Tangawekwa Sando, Babaharare Band, Sodza & Band, Simba Art, Jabula Africa among many.

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Women, Power & Creativity :: Setu, March 2019