When You Get There

Tell them that you left me holding the sun in place…

that I am afraid of the passage of time and distance.

Tell them that I have spear-pierced the moon in place

so that at nightfall you can still see the slivers of silver in the slither of your shadow.

Tell them that I wanted to come too…

but I am afraid to fly, so I gave you my wings to give you extra glide.

Tell them that with every thought of me you convey,

I am there with you and nobody else but you will fathom it.

Tell them again and again that I am okay…

and you know this because for as long as you breathe, I do too.

Tell them that the passage of time means nothing and everything to us

because where we come from, time is the air we breathe and it flows through and around us.

When you get there,

When you have a moment to yourself,

Stand at the edge of a field at dusk,

Look into the vastness of the firmament,

Yes, that’s it! My love for you as far as the eye can see,

And forever it shall be, in this life and beyond.

WHEN YOU GET THERE

[For Dag]

Text and image by Frank Malaba

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Frank Malaba

Frank Malaba is a Zimbabwean writer, poet, and LGBTQIA+ activist. He is known for his works on queer identity, African masculinity, and mental health. Malaba's writing often addresses the experiences of being a gay man in Africa and the challenges faced by LGBTQ+ individuals in the region. He has been published in several literary journals and anthologies, and has performed his poetry at various events and festivals. Additionally, Malaba is an advocate for mental health awareness and often speaks about his own struggles with depression and anxiety. He currently has two touring productions: Stories of My Bones and The Chaos of Belonging. In 2014 Frank was recognized by Mail & Guardian’s 200 Young South Africans as an Achiever in the category of Arts & Culture. View all posts by Frank Malaba: https://frankmalaba.wordpress.com/ Social media: https://linktr.ee/frankmalaba Frank Malaba Prosetry