Poem of the day brings you some of the best pieces of writing South Africa has to offer. Photo: Pexels

Poem of the day: That Old Deceitful Lying Heart

A poem a day keeps the soul awake! For the most soulful, authentically African poetry on the internet, check out Poem of the day.

by Obakeng Pholo

21-01-2023 07:08

in Art and Artists

Poem of the day brings you some of the best pieces of writing South Africa has to offer. Photo: Pexels

That Old Deceitful Lying Heart

Consider this,
Consider this my truth,
The basis of my knowledge,
Fanciful and factual renditions of my reality
The words of obligation to myself
If I knew better…

I think I heard you whispering,
I thought I heard you testify,
No I’m certain that you definitely lied
Yes I’m uncertain that you definitely lied

So many words can convey feeling
How many chapters can list Truths?
In none of these but only ever in silent vowels

Do Consider,
Consider my failures
My truth was liberation, my confession
This was why I failed to seek it out
This is why I am confined in my notion of truth

I think I heard some footsteps
I think I heard you run
No I’m certain that you definitely lied

Lying to myself,
My devotion of a truth I sought

By Sizwe Hlabisa