My Dream Place

In my dreams,
I got to a certain place
which is like paradise.
It's a heavenly place,
sinless and quiet.

In my dreams,
I am in a place
where I can communicate
with other people and animals.

In my dreams,
I am in a place
where we are innocent,
and we live peacefully.

In my dreams,
I am in a place
where there are no slaves or servants,
because that's not pleasant.

In my dreams,
I go on a journey with no end ...
but it's possible to have an exciting journey
if you try!

-Zandisa Mitani

Sometimes When it Rains

Sometimes when it rains
I wonder what people are
eating and drinking that night.

Sometimes when it rains
I think of street children
with their mothers.

-Mphakiseng Letjeba

On Rainy Days

On rainy days
I hear the drops making
irritating sounds on the roof
as if they are angry

I would watch running water
And I would pick up the hail stones
when they suddenly fall.

On rainy days
I smell a lovely, muddy smell
As I go to cold school
I wish to be under the warmth of my blankets
or near the heater as it sucks the paraffin:
to be thirsty once again.

On rainy days
I think of times
When I would play with my polystyrene boat
floating like a cork on running water.
I would be amazed by
the smoke coming out of my mouth
I would pretend that I was smoking
on rainy days.

-Thembani Bottomak

I'm Wise

I have a dream
My dream is to be wise
wise enough to know who I am
wise enough to appreciate
what I have
but I'm wise

Wise enough to appreciate
what my mother can afford,
not wear all the labels known,
but I'm wise.

Wise enough to live in a beautiful,
decorated home,
but I'm wise.

Wise enough to be thankful to God
that I'm not sleeping around
wise enough to know who I am.

-Vathiswa Mhlana

Rainy Days with My Future Wife

I wish I could be with you - someone who would make me warm when it rains. Only you, my future wife, would stop the coldness of the wind and the rain that would make me sick or cause fever. You would make me warm and comfortable while I'm with you.

I feel horrible without you in the coldness. To be with you would mean a lot to me; my life would be full of happiness. I don't know what I would be without you.

Sometimes, on rainy days, I would like to enjoy something warm or hot, like hot chocolate, with candies and some chocolatey sweets.

I can watch something scary with you because, when you are scared, you will need my help to protect you. I would switch off the lights so we could be in the darkness, after whispering in your ears, "Don't be afraid of the darkness," said Wethu.

I could hear the noise of the wind, sounds like there were ghosts chasing us.

-Wethu Runu

I Am Who I Am

I am who I am because I was born to be who I am. Changing who I am won't make me who I want to be.

I used to stand in front of a mirror, asking questions with no answers: "Why did God make me who I am?" Gradually, as I grow, I tell myself God made me who I am for his own reasons, and I thank him for making me who I am. Today, I'm proud of who I am because of him.

-Melissa Figlan

I Have a Dream

I have a dream that
I am married
I am happy
I am a powerful woman
I am a strong woman

I have a dream that
I live with my family
my own family

I have a dream that
I am precious to my family
I am a jewel to my friends
I am a role model to everyone

And I have a dream that
people can trust me
share their things
tell me all their secrets
tell me all their knowledge
so I can tell them mine

I have a dream that
I was dreaming and I woke up
and then I tossed and turned
and even now, I have that dream

-Nasiphi Mbelembushe