Ixesha

isiXhosa poem by: Sanelisiwe Mtsewu
Theme: Death

Alingebanjwa mntu
Lingejikwa kaloku
Ngucothoza ukuthi Chu
Ngufumtshakazi ukuceng'umhlaba
Kodwa lisisithonga ukunkenteza
Lipapashiwe kaloku kunomathotholo
Libhebheziwe kumaphepha ndaba
Injalo lo nto yindalo
Ath'amaciko asidleli
Kodwa kumadela kufa lixesha
Ewe xesh'elixheshiweyo
Wen'ungabhungisi nokubhungisa
Nguye kanye loqubul'egqitha
LiXesh'elinjani na eli kade bebuzana
Xesh'elingasekwayo nelibhidisayo
Lona libhoxayo nelihluthayo
Ukub'ubungekho xesha ndini ngesingaphuphi
Ukub'ubungekho ngezingekho nezithunywa zomoya
Unikw'imbeko kaloku kub'uhloniphekile
Unikw'isidima kub'undilisekile
Ngenditshilo ubalulekile xesha ndini
Unikw'inzolo kub'uzolile xesha ndini
Wena wakha ubambiswano
Nethuba lokuthandana

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English interpretation

Time

This poem implies that death is a time...A time which can't be held
Nor can it be returned.It is personified as a bride's walk...death.,is also personified as an endless sound to eardrums which keep on rewinding itself.This time"death" become news headlines
Because it is nature it takes its course
It is time of no return
But a dignified remembrance is prepared
Time brings dignity because it is dignified
It brings loved ones closer
It gives chance to be unified
time as important as respected
It builds unity amongst loved ones
It brings order