Three poems by Lazola Pambo: "I Am of This Gender," "Sexual Discourse," and "The Dignity of Human Rights"

Lazola Pambo is a South African poet, novelist and essayist. His poems have been published in “The Kalahari Review,” “Aerodrome,” “New Coin,” “Nomad’s Choir,” “Black Magnolias Literary Journal,” “Sun & Sandstone,” and “Aji Magazine,” among others. You can follow him on Twitter @LPambo.


 

I Am Of This Gender

I am of this gender
which has been shunned by society
cursed and despised
as being immoral
I am of this gender
that lost the right to human dignity
cast-away and isolated
from social interaction
I am of this gender
perceived differently

Labelled as demonic 

forsaken by people of my country 

I am of this gender 

who cries at night 

so eager to be loved 

I am of this gender 

carrying these violent crooked scars 

in each day I conquer 

my life impediments 

I am of this gender 

masculine feminine





Sexual Discourse

In the land of Mother Africa 

my sexuality is a problem 

as I walk in the street 

erect strangers undress me 

I spent last year in hospital 

attacked by taxi drivers 

for wearing a short skirt

They said I was disrespectful 

an unlawful citizen 

tell me how can I change 

the essence of my sex? 

Is it even right to justify myself?

I remember on April Fool’s Day 

being punched in the face 

strapped with two black eyes 

in the middle of nowhere 

he wanted to rape me 

and all I could think about 

was my unborn baby

The Dignity of Human Rights

The value of human existence
should not end

in a Constitutional notebook 

above all things 

it should be transparent 

speaking to masses 

of the urban plus the rural 

limitation is death 

it should be our dignified right 

to live as we want 

marry the person of any colour 

dwell in a shelter 

which offers peace and happiness

The dignity of humanity 

is not a can of worms to obstruct

 it ought to reflect 

an unconditional love of life 

I should be free 

to embrace my sexual gender 

on the gallery walls 

of art exhibitions 

without Ministerial sanctions

 mankind is a jewel 

do not belittle him 

she must be cherished

~Lazola Pambo