Freedom
I am SCREAMING! Again, I scream. But, nobody seems to be paying attention.
I am slowing disappearing, slowly.
People are not hearing my voice,
Are not seeing my personality,
Are not seeing me.
Slowly, I am disappearing.
In a room full of people,
My screams become merely a whisper,
A whisper that somebody has deemed unimportant.
My importance has dwindled.
My life.
Hhmmm.
I SCREAM.
Can anybody hear me?
Is anybody listening?
Does anybody care?
There's laughter,
And jubilation all around.
However, unheard, I am screaming.
Can you help me?
I AM SCREAMING .
Are you listening?
Can you hear me?
Can you help me?
The author, Senzo Dhlomo, is a 23-year-old student at the University of Cape Town, whose creative contribution, titled Freedom, is being published as part of Youth Tube: By The Youth, For The Youth.
It is Sowetan's unique, Youth Day spirit-filled way of reaching out to South Africa's youth, most of whom go unheard, unacknowledged and unrecognised.
Send us your original poems, drawings or essays via e-mail to tellus@sowetan.co.za. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
This youth-affirming project is initiated by Sowetan Live colleague Razia Pillay, which she was insipired by a similar project done by New America Media in the US.
You can send us a short poem, a little rap act, short video presentation, picture story, prose or any artistic expression; and these should address topics including:
- What it means for me to be broke,
- Potential,
- If I was a youth leader, this is what I'd do/change,
- Growing up in the hood,
- Am I privileged if I have everything?
- My role model is . because .
- What my grandmother has taught me,
- Every scar has a story,
- Peer pressure,
- Freedom,
- Growing up with granny,
- Daddy's girl,
- I'm over this celeb/hobby/ booze/guy . because .
- Rebelling against everything,
- My first kiss, and
- Getting a piercing and or a tattoo.
The best work will be published in the Sowetan Nation Building section on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays.
Submit your work via e-mail to tellus@sowetan.co.za or drop it off at: Avusa House, 4 Biermann Avenue, Rosebank, Johannesburg.
Please mark it "For Attention Razia Pillay at Sowetan LIVE".