Poem: ON DROWNING SORROW (Reflections of a Man) by Oswald Mbuyiseni Mtshali

Where do I drown my sorrows 

if not in the drum 

of wine, whisky and beer? 

On it I skim like a waterfly 

sending ripples of sympathy 

around the world for goodwill.

With what do I blunt my feelings 

if not with the weed wrapped in the green seed 

crackling in the brown paper greased with saliva?

How do I satisfy

my instincts as hot as cinders,

if not with tender flesh of a female 

flushed with blood as I squeeze her breasts

and caress her thighs!

All sorrows

are banished now - 

but woe when they return 

to capture my soul!