A BRAZII R IN THE STREET by Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali

Around the smoke-billowing brazier

huddled four urchins, smoking 

cigarette stub and swopping stories

like seamen telling tales over a bottle of rum 

The wintry air nipped their navels 

as a calf would suck the nipple. 

Smoke, blowing into bleary eyes, 

and waving flames fashioned

their bodies into crouching silhouettes.

One yawned-

and rubbed his sleep-laden eyes 

and mumbled as if in a dream

'I once ate a loaf of bread with nothing

Then a buxom woman, blanketed 

against the blistering chill,

came out of the house 

and carried the red-hot brazier inside

to cook her supper.

And quicker than a rabid dog 

leaps to swallow its 'tail,

the starless night gaped 

and gulped down the foursome