ALWAYS A SUSPECT by Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali

I get up in the morning

 and dress up like a gentleman - 

A white shirt a tie and a suit.

I walk into the street 

to be met by a man 

who tells me to produce'.

I show him

the document of my existence 

to be scrutinized and given the nod.

Then I enter the foyer of a building 

to have my way barred by a commissionaire 

'What do you want?'

I trudge the city pavements 

side by side with 'madam' 

who shifts her handbag 

from my side to the other, 

and looks at me with eyes that say

'Ha! Ha! I know who you are; 

beneath those fine clothes 

ticks the heart of a thief."