Superstition

what we were told not to do by our forefathers in Africa

When we were young and weak

we were told by the older folk

Not to whistle when it was dark

For devils would reply to us.

When we were young and feeble,

We were told by older folk

Not to look in the mirror

When the sun has gone to sleep

And the sky darkens

For a ghost shall appear in it.

When we were young and fragile,

Old folks told us

Not to call a snake a snake

When darkness overshadows us

But call it a rope or the "ground thing"

When we were young in age,

We were told by the older ones

That when rainbow appeared

In gold, purple and red,

In green, violet and indigo,

We should never point at it.

If we ever did, they say,

We should swallow a pebble

And then would die.