Sudden Poem by Nkosilathi Zinyane

Just as steam from a pot rises
Spreads and vanishes in mid-ascent
Is the life of man whose very existence
Is so short and calculated on this planet.

Our dreams and reality entangle
Just as we go through this lifely cycle
If only we could be humble
To see that life is a short struggle
Where hopes and visions intermingle.
This short passage is inevitable
It is just but a little trouble
For the wind to carry steam, so stable
So calm, inappreciable
Invisible
To whom is this life answerable
If I may ask is it reasonable
That pride should thrive to its pinnacle
In this house whose flesh is quenchable

Just as steam from a pot rises
When a heart is consumed it is trodden
Like diseased feet become swollen
The life of man is sudden
In it's start or end it is just sudden.