JUST A PASSERBY by Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali

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I saw them clobber him with kieries, 

I heard him scream with pain 

like a victim of slaughter; 

I smelt fresh blood gush 

from his nostrils, 

and flow on the street.

I walked into the church, 

and knelt in the pew

'Lord! I love you, 

I also love my neighbour, Amen.'"

I came out

my heart as light as an angel's kiss 

on the cheek of a saintly soul.

Back home I strutted

past a crowd of onlookers. 

Then she came in 

my woman neighbour: 

'Have you heard? They've killed your brother.' 

'O! No! I heard nothing. I've been to church.'