From Left to right: M. Moyo, B. Dhana and D. Ndlovu

SEVENTEEN
BY MZIWAKHIWE MOYO (L6)

The world blares into life
Suddenly aware of your existence
It subjects you to life’s strife
Adrenalin rushes imbuing you with more life
Savour the taste, the taste of life

Though no-one acknowledges,
No-one appreciates
Your press on, oblivious to criticism
Disillusioned though you may be
You plod on, barely wiser, defying fate

Though life deals you blows
Where you are headed no-one knows
Struggling through your adolescence
You find yourself at a crossroads
And yet you refuse for negativity to drain your youthful essence

You have run the mile
A victor true
The world has thus accepted you
You’ve shed your cocoon, no in-betweens
You are finally seventeen

SEVENTEEN
BY BLAIR DHANA (L6)
Seventeen, is it a number or is it a stage?
Is it a chapter in life or just a page?
It is a period of time that will not be forgotten,
A year where doing nothing is just not an option.

Still at school, yes, but near the finish line.
We can see the end, it’s just a matter of time.
Sport is still important, we’re at the top of our game,
We have visions of glory, visions of fame.

Music from the bedroom blasting, not a care in the world.
That does not matter, our future is still shining like gold.
Clothes lying everywhere, bed not made,
That does not matter, our imagination won’t fade.

The week is over, school is done.
The weekend has started, the party has begun!
Time for friends, time for a good time.
Whatever happens, everything will be fine.

I wish I was seventeen forever,
The days just get better and better.
The greatest gift, one of freedom is granted,
So from those car keys, we are rarely parted.

MASKS
BY DUMEZWENI NDLOVU (L6)

The long time shadow of a human face
The last resort to hide disgrace
The fake expression of hidden torment
The shop is open, a face to rent.

The gate of the gate to the soul
The changer of voices, the wearer’s call
Full of mystery, a beauty preserved?
Or looked down face, a mask well deserved.

A wanted face to fool the masses
A changed appearance to please the classes
The mask of course a powerful lie
To fake a look, no need to try.

The mask we wear every day
The things we do, the things we say.
The cards off the table, we’ve once been told
The shop’s out of stock we are now closed.