at regular times
a natural phenomenon
more spectacular
than any boreal aurora
is visible
from dawn till dusk
and for one day only
over the soil
that once
belonged to Afrikans


every five years
colourful
silent
endless
curveous lines
materialize
over the fatigued back
of Mzansi's
usually grey landscape


redrawing it
resuscitating it
for one day only
from its comatose state


a nation in motion


slow
like Julunggul
the Great Rainbow Snake


wise
like Roni
the Giant Anaconda
the Feathered Serpent Goddess


strong
like Da
the Afrikan Snake
whose three thousand five hundred coils
support the sky
and the cosmic ocean
in which Mother Earth floats
a Serpentine Divinity who
from time to time
leaves her warm underground shelter
enchanted
by the intriguing sound
of a magic flute
to manifest Herself
quite sleepy
on cold Mother Earth's surface


(by the way:
when does this magnificent mythological phenomenon take place?
did i say
every five years?
maybe it's four,
maybe ten.
anyway,
in the dreamtime
this doesn't make any difference
to the thoughtful, astonished poet)


unfortunately
for the sensitive
dawdling
brightful
Snake Goddess
the magic penny - whistler
is not a trustworthy sister
but a well-trained trickster
who drives Her
into false journeys
that lead
to arid lands
of broken dreams
and choked hopes
or
more probably
just nowhere


this until the day
when the Triune Goddess
Julunggul-Roni-Da
will finally wake up
fully
from Her long sleep
and reclaim
with a roar
(or more probably
with a smile
or a song)
what once
was Hers


only then
Her shining walkabouts
will end up
in once well-known
lands
f truth
prosperity
peace