Henry Masauko Chipembere's Mango Tree at Mtundu, cheChiwaya's by Jack Mapanje

The fig tree at Mtundu, cheChiwaya's was
robust, dynamic once - political arena, court,
market; chiefs and their elders chewed our
cases in subtle riddles, proverbs, narratives
there, fishmongers milling about bamboo and
reed stalls, trading sun dried utaka, usipa, nchila,
zisawasawa, mcheni for salt, sugar, beads;
women in cheerful calico offered spirited prices
for their sweet brew, babies on backs munching
banana bread baked in banana leaves. And
this mango tree, this arch rebel standing tall
beside the fig tree at Mtundu, cheChiwaya's
hasn't it weathered ruthless Young Pioneer
butts, Youth League lashes all these years? And
when figs and mangoes, finally fall to earth,
like their rebel hero, will swallows swoop
and turn to gathering clouds and whirlwind,
promising another bitter-sweet fruitfulness?