tsac · Jan 9, 2012
Hush Hush He's Calling South Africa's Name

With a deep breath, I sigh.
Your tribe is broken, your land is sick.
My beloved country, don’t cry.

In the land where mountains touch the sky,
Cruel cities are being built of lifeless brick.
With a deep breath, I sigh.

I was not there to see him die.
My son I know was hanged; I imagine it was quick.
My beloved country, don’t cry.

Now this child comes to speak: stay well is goodbye.
He is bright and burns like a lamp’s wick.
With a deep breath, I sigh.

That small angel from God; he can’t fly.
To the ground his feet like mine do stick.
My beloved country, don’t cry.

Hush Hush keep it a secret—I can’t tell you why.
Hush Hush, there is hope, this is no white mans joke or trick.
With a deep breath, I sigh.
My beloved country, don’t cry.

This was written for a class I took where we read "Cry, the Beloved Country" by Alan Paton. The poem alludes to the stories main plot concerning apartheid in South Africa; the title alludes to an old spiritual song "Hush Hush Somebody's Calling My Name"
 
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