Today in prison
by tacit agreement
they will sing just one
song:
Nkosi Sikekela*;
slowly and solemnly
with suppressed
passion and pent up
feelings:
the voices strong and steady
but with tears close
and sharp
behind the eyes
and the mind ringing
wildly as a strayed
bird seeking some
names to settle on
and deeds being done
and those who will
do the much
that still needs to be
done.
Dennis Vincent Brutus 1924-2009
Dennis Brutus was a South African poet, scholar, and activist who played a significant role in the international movement against apartheid. His work often grapples with themes of social injustice, exile, and the struggle for liberation. His poetry is characterized by a direct and accessible style, using clear language and vivid imagery to convey the realities of oppression and the resilience of the human spirit.
Brutus's poetry was deeply informed by his own experiences of imprisonment and exile. He was a founding member of the South African Sports Association, which campaigned against apartheid in sports. His activism led to his imprisonment on Robben Island, where Nelson Mandela was also incarcerated. After his release, Brutus was forced into exile, living in various countries before settling in the United States.
Brutus's work can be placed within the context of other anti-colonial and Black liberation movements of the 20th century. His contemporaries included writers like Aime Cesaire and Léopold Sédar Senghor, who similarly explored themes of identity, colonialism, and the African diaspora. His poetry also drew inspiration from South African writers like Es'kia Mphahlele, who provided a voice to the marginalized communities within South Africa.
Brutus's legacy continues to resonate today as his work offers a powerful testament to the human capacity for resistance and the enduring fight for justice and equality. His poetry remains relevant in the face of ongoing struggles against oppression and discrimination around the world.
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