ARTIST: NOXOLONKOSI THEME: CHAINS of OPPRESSION TITLE: ATONING FOR THE UNKNOWN Ever felt like a mini Sacrificial Lamb, Rocking herself back and forth, She wonders whose sins she is paying for, Stomach growls from hunger, Working but broke, She queries the universe , That strong feeling of hatred surrounding her always on its peak. A slave whilst the whole nationality is free, Born free, but having to break "chains of oppression" She likens herself to the owl, Which amongst all the birds Was chosen by the "witches" and hated by many. Having it all figured out, Having it all only to lose it Punished for sins unknown to her , Sins She never committed, Now the world is initiating her slow death, Death that she can't fast track , Since she wakes up breathing the next morning. Now, where is the"freedom of expression?" She wonders if it was distributed whilst she was asleep, "Choice," a word she yearns to possess Yet only get to say it in her dimly lit Bug-filled room, Surrounded by her fellow race, She is the only one bound in chains, Lamenting within, Coming to a conclusion that it would have been better to be oppressed by the people of colour than her own, In a land which she has equal right over, She remains ..., a slave, A squatter ... A nonentity. At first, she thought she was the female version of Jabez , Clearly she ain't because it has been long. Taking up the day with a different formula, Only for it to lead her back to the Cross she is yet to be nailed on. Her screams crumpled up within her , But fearful of coming out , She is alone, No use to scream. The day will come, She will either R.I.P or be FREED. NOXOLONKOSI...