CHITSIDZO

 In Zimbabwe, Shona mothers sing a traditional lullaby, “Chitsidzo”, to their babies. While looking into her child's eyes, the mother has the sensation that the baby is older than she.

[1]

Bundled in bloody afterbirth

he came to us

a wet escapee

from the fluid flowing sodden belly shelter Mary.

Had he known before

before he took flesh

had he known this world

this womb

this lovely shimmering perplexing

world womb before?

Or did his eyes open that night

for the first time,

for the first time deep within

this enigmatic grotto of our universe?

Did air

heavy moist sharp air

vex soothe arouse his new raw skin

nostrils throat and lungs?

Did sounds stirring

first sounds

distinct, separate, clear sounds

moaning clucking hissing

rustling sounds

confuse frighten fascinate

his beginner’s ear?

Did new light

torch light star light

light of moon and lantern on lucent mother’s face

soft light of late night color

beguile enthrall bewitch

his seeing?

When for the first time he inhaled

the breath of night

did odors of beasts

straw wool fire

startle or please him?

[2]

By what means or mysteries

by what high ways or low ways

through what empyrean canals

do our children come to us?

Do they follow stars to find us?

Do faint remembrances resonate

within them?

Do they bear memories of dwellings

we know no longer of?

Do the angels sing their births?

Does earth tremble

before each child begins to cry?

[3]

Road-worn exhausted Mary

herself a stranger

made strange by the world

made strange by whims and winds of circumstance

made more strange by this birth

Mary took this child of blessing to her breast

felt the milk of life flow forth from her

and was content.

Content

and with wonder Mary caressed wee fingers

fingered damp midnight hair

brushed tiny cheeks

gazed into dark probing eyes

that searched her eyes

and knew already her heart.

© Budd Friend-Jones

December 28, 2018

(Photo collected by Ashley Harris on Pinterest)

©Budd Friend-Jones