INTAKE NIGHT - BARAGWANATH HOSPITAL by Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali

The ward was like a battlefield

victims of war

waged in the dark alley

flocked in cars, taxis, ambulances, vans and trucks.

They bore

knife wounds 

axe wounds 

bullet wounds 

burns and lacerations.

A stench

of fresh blood

warm urine

excreta, 

mingled with iodine and methylated spirits.

Groans

sighs

moans - Help me doctor help! 

Curse - C'mon bloody nurse!

Doctors darting 

from place to place 

with harried nurses at their side. 

'So! it's Friday night! 

Everybody's enjoying in Soweto.'

Soweto: South West Townships; the huge conglomeration of dormitory suburbs for Africans attached to Johannesburg