What Do I need?

by

Anitah Aujayeb

My Property
Nor a golden studded palace
neither an air-conditioned cosy room
Not a long black dress with pearls
not a jaguar which glitters black
I need but pen and paper
with ink enough to last for eternity
You may build castles
You can open ‘sesame’ doors
keep the gold, keep the gems
spill your joys, drown your desires
leave but some coins for pen and paper
with ink enough to say what I want
when the shadows of clouds
hover around in circles
as the bright sun enters the horizon
light your house, fill your cup
let drift aside from under the curtain
some light to write what I can.
On the white paper of my life
paints the black ink, some sorrows
some pains, some sighs
deep felt inner needs slowly
move the paper and the pen
with sobs enough to last for ever.
Paper and pen, my shadows eternal
pen and paper, my life, my pains
travel through rains and sun
breathing life where life is not
I need my pen and paper
to make myself live to eternity.

A song, a smile, a line, these are things greater than riches of mighty kings

Long standing Educator, Part time Open University tutor, teaching English and Literature in English, Chairperson of the President’s Fund for Creative Writing, Ministry of Arts and Cultural Heritage.
A lover of languages, she is who is doing her best for the promotion of Mauritian literature