Diamonds in the Rough
The earth abounds with diamonds
But Melanie stands on her balcony
Gazing up at a cool spray of stars
Wondering why she can’t find a man
To slip one on her finger.
Contemporaneously
Under the sun’s supreme heat
Like ten million galaxies away…
In the village of Kimabue –
13-year-old Kendi
50 feet below hauls away
Layers of dust and rock
Exposing ancient sediments
Where the crystals lay.
Under his breath
The impromptu venomous tongue
Of a new type of slave susurrates
Indignities falling on deaf ears:
Think I care for your democracy,
Capitalism, or socialism?
It’s all hypocrisy.
Think I care for your Christianity,
Same-sex marriage, or equality?
I’m sifting ancient sediment
And my spirit in revulsion,
My people still forced to bear
This cotton field compulsion.
Labour-intensive –
Sweat cascading from his brows.
Contemporaneously
Like ten million galaxies away…
Under a cool spray of stars
Melanie lifts a large glass of rosé,
Eyes her finger and beckons Cupid
Propel her way a man of dreams.
After two or so more glasses,
One by one, the stars go out.