Youth Day 2021

My June 16

I heard but never saw till I believed
I heard my education was fought for,
that students’ blood flooded Mzantsi
I heard that one by one their bodies fell at the
triggering thunder of the machine guns
I heard their bodies were used to symbolize
the platform to raise the banner
Their eyes to trace dreams and hope
shattered by injustice
Their ears to be used as bells to recall
those who longed for education 

I heard but never saw and yet I believed
The tears of my brothers and sisters
won’t be in vain
This triggers my hunger for education
As I crave for success.

A Poem By Yolanda Mswaka