A Broken Stone

A Broken Stone

Don't pick up junk," my mom would sigh
But little did she know that I,
Magpie incarnate, had a hoard
Of each and every item stored

Most precious of my precious things
A broken stone with lapis wings
Shaped as it was, a bird in flight
Chipped head, nicked tail, but still all right

"Is it from Egypt?" I pondered
"Worn by Modjadji?" I wondered
Did Cetshwayo, king of these lands
Hold this talisman in his hands?

When British guns and Zulu spears
Struck like lightning, the sky wept tears,
To wash away my homeland's blood
To cleanse it all would take a flood

Now I am grown, no more inquire
The source of the junk nor its sire
It's worn now on a chain alone
Chipped lapis bird, a broken stone.


South African Historical and Cultural Notes:
Modjadji, the Rain Queen: The Modjadji or Rain Queen is the hereditary queen of Balobedu, the people of the Limpopo Province of South Africa. The Rain Queen is believed to have special powers, including the ability to control the clouds and rainfall. (wikipedia)

King Cetshwayo: In 1879 the British declare war on the Zulus after an ulimatum was rejected. Cetshwayo's elite impi's (warriors) successfully split the British forces and abushed them and a massacre ensued known as the Battle of Isandlwana.