Hey you!

Hey....yes you
You with the African nose
And lips to match
Eyes so delicate they calm
I love you

I'm talking to you
The one of high height
But low weight
Thick forest dark hair
I love you

Ke ra wene
Mopulana wa mapulaneng
Seyalogane sa go bollwa
Mmina Tau
Ke ya go rata

Look at me
I need your attention
So you can see what I see in my eyes
Whenever I wake up to you
I love you

Hear me when I shout
When I whisper and cry
When I laugh
For half of each is yours
I love you

Remember me
As I wake and sleep
With the comfort that
I have a Boeing747  in you
To carry life with
I love you

Time give me time

Give me time

Im fragile

I am not newborn

I have history

Give me time

I am confused

Cannot see love from lust

I have scars

Give me time

I am in fear

To trust or be insecure

I have been disappointed

Give me time

I want it all too

But without giving in

I am selfish

Give me time

Save us

From the storms within our hearts
From the fire burning under our soles
From the confusion swimming in our brains
From the itch in our bloodstreams
Save us

From the stranger we call father
From the son who has become a stranger
From the little girl who is a mother
From the granddad who is the uncle, brother, cousin...
Save us

From the leaders who don't lead
From the pastors who dictate
From the nurses who cause harm
From the police not being policed
Save us

From the entities draining talents
From the oil pools depreciating the rand
From the lending opposing the earning
From the efforts not rewarded
Save us

From the now that wasn't planned
From the yesterday we cannot let go
From the tomorrow we will crash into
Save us

Fact

The fact of life is death
The joy is in between
There are those who believe the reverse
And waste life waiting for the inevitable
Wondering and pondering of the minute
He will take you back

The fact of life is now
Not later, tomorrow or yesterday
The fulfilment is your reaction
To this moment in this minute
Not planning for yesterday
Or regretting tomorrow

The fact of life is you
The reflection in the mirror
Who you know you are
Not who they say you are, or will be or was
Your beliefs and attitude
To right now
Is the fact right now

*budgie*

Almost

I almost missed you
It all seemed green but was lime
Felt good but not right
Believed all I heard but not believe
Dark shadows adorned my pupils
As you stood in the mist
I truly almost missed you
Next to me you were
Though I was not looking
Eyes shut with temporary joy
Fool fooled by a fool
Direction...everywhere
Contentment a myth
I seriously almost missed you
Turn left paved with swarovski
Right with copper but leads to diamond
Darkest hour diluted when you saw me
Saw me for the first time as I saw you
Bags and all you gave me a lift
Stopped on green and unpacked
Filling the empty with light
I almost missed you

Loving yourself

Take a look
In the mirror, in the pond
At the scars and memories
Question your birth
Ask about your being
Unlock your childhood
Reminisce the years before
Appreciate the innocence
While laughing about your naivety
Feel your heartbeat
Touch your hand
Kiss your lips
Hear your silence
Break your heart
Only to recollect it
Renew your spirit
And enrich your soul
Take a look
Into yourself

One of a kind

I'd like to think i'm different
Stand out in the crowd
Black dot on a white field
A purple tomato
A sweet steak
Something new

I'd like to believe I shifted the moon
Made you look...twice
Blew your breath away
Caused minor heart failure
Made you blush just a little
And kept your gaze

I'd like to know i'm special
A new morning
Something confusing but exciting
A fresh page
A song from a distant memory
A rare diamond
Totally unforgettable

I'd like you to know
I'm new
One model while stocks last
Never to be again
I am
One of a kind

Budgie

I was born

I hurt because I was born
To live and die
To make the most of in between
To share and receive
To be what I must

I cry because I was born
To experience life
To win and lose
For victory and humility
To love and be loved

I smile because I was born
For peace and joy
To bring happiness to humanity
To bless and be blessed
To give freely

I wake up because I was born
To be present
To fulfil my role for the purpose of all
To embrace tomorrow
To grow

I AM because I was born
For you, me and us
To write history
To return one day
To the one who sent me
To live.

Dear Mr. Beggar

You see me drive past you
Every day at 5:35pm
Same gesture, same response
That feeling, from me to you
I would like to make a difference
To give a new response today
Share what you don't have
To bless you in some way
To meet your hopes
You see the car
You see the phone
You see the handbag
The nails, hair, dress, shoes...
I see your face
I see your dry parched lips
I see the slowness of your body
The nails, hair, rags, feet....
You do not see me
And I do not see you
Days are filled with a desk and chair
While you laze in the shade
Debt collectors on the phone
Traffic, people and birds fill the air
Petrol price increase pinches
Strong legs you have
All I have is a bill
All you have is a blessing
One day the window will roll down
This time it will be me
Today I sit
And wonder if I will see you again tomorrow
At 5:35pm

There is glory in living purposefully

There is no glory in failure
Prosperity was the intention
Success is within your reach
Victory is who you are

There is not glory in ignorance
You are a vital part of this world
The present is your reality
And we are in your world

There is not glory in misery
Life is unpredictable
Through joy and heartache
To rise comes after every fall

There is no glory in porvety
You have the ability to change for better
And convert lazy into gain
To feed a nation

There is no glory in evil
Good given is good received
No currency equates helping the need
You have nothing to loose
The is glory in living purposefully

Then I would rather be a child

If life is defined by my pocket
And I am judged by the power in my pocket
And half my efforts are stolen from me
All in the name of taxation
Then I would rather be a child

If the freedom to intoxicate myself
And the right to drive with maniacs
The exposure to non medicinal substances
And foul language come with it
Then I would rather be a child

If the words hussle and struggle
And hand to mouth are my life
If I know the price of bread
Or by how much petrol rises
Then I would rather be a child

If I can see my heart bleed
Hear my voice cry
Feel my confidence wane a bit
Or are guilty of hurting
Then I would rather be a child

If genocide, war and incurable diseases
Are a part of my conversations
If I find multiple definitions for the word 'moral'
And start adjusting the ten commandments
Then I would rather be a child

If I walk down the isle for reasons I didnt know as a child
Or bring a life whithout a plan
Into a world without direction
And possibly leave before saving it from this world
Then I would rather be a child

If I fall into the trap of being normal
All in the name of being accepted
Of doing for the sake of living
And forgetting the child I once was
Then I would rather be a child again.

'Bare gola o tla dibona...ka nnete bophelo ke koma'

Ta,
Budgie

Love

None can define you
Many have tried to live you
And most search for you
Everyday time is devoted to you
Just to touch you for a moment
To feel close to  you
To be overcome by your presence
And understand your value

The world speaks of you
In every form of communication
Always with a goal in mind
You are used to camouflage
To hide other aspects involved
To soothe
To harm
To live

There is no life without you
And there is no running from you
Whatever reason you visit for
The world needs you
In every dose available
Just to relinquish hunger in Sudan
To bring peace in Israel
And to sit a family together for supper
To heal a broken heart
To mend bridges thrashed by life
And to warm the heart in winter
Time will change today
People will remain, grow or wither
Summer to autumn, winter to spring
But you are always here

Ta,
Budgie

You are not the one

You are not the one
To greet the morning with me
To rub my feet at the end of the day
To travel with me
To be by my side through it all

You are not the one
For me to call friend
Or to lean on in rough seas
Or laugh with in my sunshine
For me to hold on to

You are not the one
To hold close to my heart
Whose eyes reflect my happiness
Or the future I am entitled to
To kiss good night after sunset

You are not the one
Who will love me till time stands still
To share a meal with me
Or for me to share a drink with
And dance with till my knees give in

You are not the one
Who can be faithful to me
Or promise me the sun and moon
Or the one I can wholeheartedly trust
Who will fight for my heart

You are not the one
I can call my own
I can belong to
In my future

You are not the one
For me

Ta,
Budgie

Morning Argument

Is that the alarm clock again?

And what am I to do at that sound

It is quite disturbing

As I attempt to complete my 8hour nap

Sleep sleep sleep oh dear sleep

Who created this idea

That we wake as the alarm goes

Or when the cock empties its lungs

So early in the day

To catch the fattest worm

Do I really have to wake

Is this peace and rest really over

Do I have a choice in the matter

Is it possible to postpone today

What could my excuse be today

For my absence where I ought to be

For I do not want to wake

Would the world really end If I sleep more

What possible catastrophe would materialize

If I ignore this loud sound

Oh guilt please go away

Yes I know I'm blessed to have a choice

Please take your friend shame too

As he stands pointing at lazy me

As I say the Lords prayer in my head

I obey the alarm clock...again.

Ta,

Brigette

You are beautiful

I am beautiful
These eyes that look beyond skin
And the hands that create a meal
What about the nose that flares in joy
Or maybe its the ears that adorn my face

I am beautiful
My presence fills a room
With grace and passion as I walk
Every inch of me in unison
But to a beat only I hear

I am beautiful
The glow of my skin is soft
But like magic to touch
The sound of my voice soothes storms
And laughter stops all life

I am beautiful
A stride across the road is an event
As me and my assets trot along
Like a mountainous landscape
The vision is glorious at every angle
Curvaceous where curves need to be
Lean and strong where strength should be

I am beautiful
The mane on my head is my crown
My hands and feet complete the robe
Every inch of my flesh covering my soul
A soul so deep and rich
Protecting and nurturing my heart
You are beautiful

Ta,
Budgie

Happiness

To an earthling
Happiness is a far as pluto
Pleasure is only an imaginaton
We spend our lives chasing happiness
When it is within us
It knocks everyday
Hoping your heart will open the door
With a smile it waits
But history holds the door shut
So the door remains closed
That door to discovery and freedom
And sadly happiness gives up
What joy it could be
If we could all be childlike
Te be free at heart
And selfish with our happiness
To chase our imaginations
And actually catch our dreams
To love them enough to lose them and regain them
For finding your dream
Is finding the way to your happiness
Which is in you
Oh what a life to live

Ta,
Budgie

This Life

What was the dream?
The day he created earth
The vision he had for the future
Has it come to pass?
As the layer thins out
And deserts grow wider
As nations squabble for abundance
At the cost of the peasants
Was this the dream?
Has the world passed the test
Or are we headed for doom
When will it appreciate the ant
For it too has a role
Can the happenings be explained
Better yet, what is your purpose?
Is this what you are here for?
That a brother harms a sister
Neighbours reject their neighbours
At the time of need
That even though people are the same
They find difference in all
Is the forest not harmonious?
How do they know where to be and what to be
With a brain believed lesser than human
Is peace a dream...or myth
Or is life attempting to create this myth
Where is the dream?

Ta,
Budgie

When you left

The sun set instantly
Sleep did not come easily
To wake was my biggest fear
Like a child I wanted to hide
In a cupboard...in the darkness
Where no one could see me
And I could not see anyone
I felt my heart was exposed
For the world to see
And all the hyenas were laughing
Poking at it repeatedly as it bled
In my heart I knew it would end
But the road was long and steep
To describe the pain would be fruitless
And prove me stupid
For my words will not make sense
It is a feeling one can only feel
But never share with another
It is not the love I cried for
Or the passion we shared
But that you would be absent in class
That you would never again
Be available at my every whim
The companionship we shared
The silly habits we loved
The songs we boldly sang to together
The way I fitted into your arms
And how your mouth moved when you smiled
But that is all it is and will be
Just a mere memory to me
Something that happened a long time ago
I just wonder
If I will ever find another being
Who made it feel like the first time
Everytime I saw them

Love
Budgie

A short Letter to Mama

Wena ngwana wa Mbuyane
Setlogolo sa Nonyane, Mashile, Moreme le Mbuyane
We salute you

With time I see you in me
With age I feel what you could've felt
I understand

I feel the hope and love you have for me
I appreciate your existence
Im thankful

Your strength and perseverance is beyond measure
Your strike leaves a mark
Im amazed

My memories are filled with your sacrifices
And your faith in my success
I know

Never a moment of pain or porverty
Or fear for my well being
Im safe

You who can do many with your hands
And embrace many with your heart
Im blessed

I can cook, bake, knit, sew, sweep, wash
But cannot hate, deceive, degrade or disrespect
Im lucky

I would like to have your memories
All good and bad
Then have a drink to the good times
And laugh at the bad times

No words can truly state your worth
But I guess I can say the fact
There simply couldn't have been a me
Without you.

Ta
Brigette

How dare you!

Do you know who we are
For you to think you can harm us
Where is it written that you are allowed
To trample all over my being as you wish
To lie to, to strike and to own
Do you know who I am
I am no orphan at your mercy
Neither am I lost in life
I was born from love and respect
And that is what I demand from you
What...you cannot afford that?
I guess you don't deserve me
Do you know who she is
To her father she is an egg
To her mother a diamond
To her siblings a star
To her exes the one that got away
And to God a priority
Do you know who I am
Before you offer me the universe
Weigh your ability to reach it
Before you attempt to love me
Ask me about my father's love for me
Before you demand anything from me
Ask my sister and brothers about their star
Before you offer me a great future
Consult with God on his plan for me
How dare you?

Ta,
Budgie

Butterfly

I am a butterfly
From an egg I was formed
Tender and needing protection
Crawling in and out of each stage
Exploring and learning life

I am a butterfly
I have endured shedding and hibernation
Lessons learned and experienced
Time away from the forest
To find more about me
And appreciate my surroundings

I am a butterfly
Each day is a step closer to maturity
To reveal the true me to all
To release my wings
To live to my full potential

I am a butterfly
A surprise wrapped as an egg
Something new to someone unexpecting
Sunrise to the world
The finishing touch to a masterpiece
A flower waiting to bloom into completion
I am a butterfly

bryandaly.wordpress.com

Ta,
Budgie

Dear Friend

Dear Friend
You are more than a friend to me
Life is a simple formula
Knowing you are part of it
Meeting you was not an event
A mere introduction and nothing more
No visions of the future
No expectations
Time after time and you are still here
Others have called me controlling
Most are intimidated by me
Some even say I'm overwhelming
But you survived through all of these
You must be a miracle my friend
To accept all of me and the more
To ask nothing of me but give your time
To do all for nothing
Seasons come and become
Tears flow, smiles adorn our faces
Wars and famine might come
Life could will end one day
Its just great to know today
That you are my friend

Ta,
Budgie

Love cannot be lost

Love cannot be lost
When found, it stays forever
It clings like a leech
And refuses to let go
Whether it is worth it or not
For pain or joy

Love cannot be lost
Over distances it follows you
Over decades it stays with you
That song, that scent, that date
All remind you of the love

Love cannot be lost
It could be misplaced
Maybe forgotten for a while
Circumstances change your love
And sometimes life gets in the way
Time will reunite your heart with love
For love cannot be lost

Let me hold you

Ive been thinking about you
And all I would like to do
If you are faint hearted...stop
You see, since I met you
My temperature has risen
I am sure it is not the flu
Or the sun...
I am convinced it is from within
I would like to pretend it is my wild imagination
That my heart doesn't skip a beat
At your voice, name, presence and my thoughts of you
Please do not get me wrong
I am not one of those girls
I am thee girl who thinks of  you constantly
Hoping one day you will take the lead
For all girls love to be hunted
I have seen the future
Or maybe imagined it
Please, please do not disappoint me
Would you play your role as Ive imagined it?
Could you look my way again
Tell me about your life
Especially your frustrations
So I can help soothe them
Am I, am I one step ahead?
Or do you have a better plan for us
Oops...did I say us?
I am counting the days
To the day you will hold me
And let me hold you

Ta,
Budgie

If you could see my heart

If you could see my heart
It is green like a lawn
Lush like a rain forest
All beings roam free with grace
Wealth is plenty for all
Peace surrounds life

If you could see my heart
You would know that it rains
With thunder and lightening
Winds blow in all directions
Stealing the peace
But knowing sunshine follows thereafter

If you could see my heart
You wouldn't believe
The strength I posses
The love I have to give
And the room I have for love

If you could see my heart
You would understand the smile on my face
The frown when it storms
The strength I have to press forward
And you would understand
That I am all woman

Ta,
Budgie

Girls are pretty

Girls are pretty
They shine like gems
They giggle when tickled
And glow when happy
They are soft like chiffon

Girls are strong
Some girls can bake cupcakes
Others can sew tu-tus
Some girls can solve long sums
While others defend in uniforms

Girls are treasures
They are raised to love and nurture
They forgive and most times forget
They accept and appreciate
Loyalty and Love flows in their veins

Girls are dreamers
They believe in fairies and unicorns
Stare at stars and the moon
They want flowers and chocolates
Oh a gentlemen to hold on to
And 'lived happily ever after' at the end of the book

Girls are pretty
With teeth like pearls
Hair like cotton candy
Scented like fresh blooms
Brains to make or break
And hearts to love forever

Ta,
Budgie
For all the little girls I know!

letting go

They say letting go is good for you
But they forgot how difficult it is
I guess the writer was a survivor
And when you are on the other side
You think you can do what you knew you couldn't do then
It could be a sudden loss or expected
Your heart is just never prepared
Sometimes it seems your heart holds on
Even when your brain has moved on
It hits like lightening
Suddenly your chest contracts
It all feels so real so now and so wrenching
For a brief moment the world is dark
Nothing absolutely everything means nothing
Except for the combination of memories and ache
Your only friend is time
For time apparently heals all wounds
But this theory is only proven to the dead
In this one minute experience
Your brain runs slides of years of history
And allows you one more step into the future
For pain is there to strengthen you
The only price it asks
Is for you to let it go

Ta,
Budgie

My love

What a surprise it is
To meet a person like you
You opened the door for me
You pulled the chair for me
So mannered and surprising
I would like to have all conversations with you
I would like to have tea with you...or coffee
I would like to read the Sunday paper with you
I would like to listen to the rain with you
Then maybe we could fall asleep together
Do you think you could remember my birthday?
Or maybe the day we met...every month?
Would you please make a fuss about Valentine's day?
Red, yes that is my favourite colour
And ice cream brings a smile to my face
Like a wounded lion I defend before I appreciate
You look like an angel
But the fear in me blurs your beauty
Oh how I would love to love you
And trust to fall with you
And maybe I could call you my lover
You can call me everyday
Imagine if this were all true
And after all this is done
It still felt like the day we met

Ta
Budgie

Ke kgarebe ya Mapulaneng(with English translation)

Ke kgarebe ya Mapulaneng
Ba go tlala bare ke ying so sone naa?
Ke tshware ke stress
Ba tho ba modimo...a le tjibi Mapulana
Ka ba ka dula fase
Ka gore story se, ke se se telele
Ke morwediya wa Mashile
Mashile a gatisha, minna tau
Mashile wa di thaba tja Graskop
Kgoshi Maripi(pe) Mashile
Mogatja wa Mogoladikwe, Magabolle le Maseroto
Ba ga gesho ke Mashego, Chiloane le Malele
Ba yagishane ke Mogane, Nonyane, Mokoena...Mapulana kamoka
Gaye re ya lema mashemo
Bashemanyana ba gapa dikgomo
Le komeng re ya ya ka marega
Re bolabola sona se-pulana
E, se nyakiye go tshwana le Sepedi
Mara hayi sepedi...botsisa Mapedi ba tlo go botseng
Batho ba gesho ba dula Mapulaneng (Bushbuckridge)
Kgoshi lenyaga ke Mashego
Ba ata ba ya le Mashishing
Le kgono ke re o ba kereya Petori, Tembisa joh gape ba sepela maan
Rune re ja nama...ka bushwa
Re apega dithlako tsa dinawa le dimaka
Re gasha mabele, marope, dithoke, mangoze, makotapeni, moba, eyi ditlele
Re dumedisa re-re Tamaneng, Age Lekaye Naa
Ra ba ra layela ka Sepulana re re Salaneng ga botjie

Translation

I am the daugher of Mapulaneng
Many ask what that is
I get stressed
For goodness sake...you dont now Mapulana?
I sit down
For this story is long
I am Mashile's daughter
Mashile a gatisha, minna Tau
Mashile from the Graskop mountains
King Maripi(pe) Mashile
Husband to Mogoladikwe, Magabolle and Maseroto
Our tribe includes Mashego, Chiloane and Malele
Our neighbours include Mogane, Nonyane, Mokoena...all the Mapulana
We are farmers
Boys are herders
We attend initiation school in winter
We speak Sepulana
Yes its almost like Sepedi
But it is not...ask the Pedi's they will tell you *laughs*
My people live in Mapulaneng (Bushbuckridge)
Our king is Mashego
You find us in Lydenburg too
Today you find them in Pretoria, Tembisa...
We eat meat...and pap
We cook samp with beans and peanuts
We plant mealies, african potato, wild spinach, mangoes, avocados. sugarcane and more
We greet with Tamaneng, Age Lekaye Naa
And leave with Salaneng ga botjie

*Please note translation may be incorrect; Sepulana is not documented hence has no right way of writing it.  This is also the most loose and current version of it*

Ta,
Budgie

Free my heart

Dear past, free my heart
I am too blessed and gifted to dwell on you
There is abundance in front of me
Future promises to make me smile
Everyday I wake to another opportunity
To make better decisions
To love and accept love
The universe presents gifts daily
He sent me angels to make it better
They who support and help me
Listen...mind is talking to you
Like the comrades he is fighting for my heart
To be freed from your agonizing clutches
For you to pack, wave and leave
For you to see reason and sense
Why do you hold on?
Is it...is it to remind me of where I come from
Then please visit me once in three-hundred-and-fifty-six-days
Preferably on day one
Or is it your jealousy on future
For I must say he is quite dashing from where I stand
And honest as he is clear about himself
You see your lease is up
I simply cannot accommodate you anymore
Not in my heart; not in my mind and never in my soul
Not even in my twenty-four hour day
Your time is over
You, your friends guilt, pain and depression
So free my heart

Ta,
Budgie

God

They will ask why I smile
How I made it to the top
How I survived the pain and struggle
I will tell them it is God

They will wonder who gave it to me
Who blessed me abundantly
Who took my sorrow for joy
Who said YES to all my dreams
I will tell them it is God

They will ask how I walked in the dark
Was I not fearful to stand?
Did I not worry about the danger?
And all the obstacles in my way
I will tell them it is God

They will ask for my advise
On how to prosper and smile
How to find love, peace and happiness
And I will tell them again
It is God

Budgie

He

He who commands without demanding
He respects and is respected
He says I love you through his deeds
And just to assure you he whispers it in your ear
He who knows what you need
And provides it before you ask
He who defends you
Especially when you see a spider
He who kisses your forehead to welcome sunrise
He who walks away to let you cool down
And apologises for doing it
He who admires your physique
But is in love with your heart
He who oozes passion
And you glow with satisfaction
He who shows  you off
And will kill any peeping Tom
He who knows you are not  his mother
And his mother can never be you
He who has the guts to meet your father
And keeps his promise to your mother to cherish YOU
He who allows you to reach  your highest potential
And he lives to his
He who stays home with  you
Just because you don't feel well
He who you know you can trust
And you want to be the best for him
He who you know you want
He who you know you need
He who you know is top of God's range

Budgie

to be today

Today is tomorrow's yesterday and yesterday's tomorrow
Only today exists
What was is history today
And what is to be is only a possibility

Some people spend time on yesterday
Holding on to what was and will never return
Allowing yesterday to dampen today and possibily tomorrow
Wasting time on statues that cannot be moved but only destroyed
Allowing emotions and time to time lost

Some people devote today to tomorrow
Wondering about what has not arrived
Worrying about a probability
Investing time in non factual thoughts
Giving energy into a tomorrow they cannot control

But what is life yesterday and tomorrow
Life starts at sunrise and ends at sunset
Tomorrow is a gift yet to be unwrapped
Yesterday is gone forgotten
Today is what is

Budgie

what do you know about pain

What do you know about pain?

Raised to nurture but not nurtured

Ridiculed for being different

Violated

Just because he had a selfish need to fulfil

What do you know about pain?

He promised

And never followed through

I loved him, and swallowed love

Apparently the feeling was mutual

But somehow I never felt appreciated

What do you know about pain?

I’ve had my hair pulled since age three

All in the name of beauty

Plucked, waxed, injected and rejected

All to belong and to be accepted

What do you know about pain?

Have you been on the receiving end of a slap?

Or wondered what he was thinking

Or better yet where he is, where he was and where he is going

And Oh Lord the wait for that ring

What do you know about pain?

Listened to mommy and remained pure

Just to be spoiled by one experience

And he left me with the consequences

Stitches, labor, epidural, breast feeding and weight

Then the universe sent a disease for comic relief

What do you know about pain?

No you don’t understand

You will never get it

And I never wish any of it on you

Even if you are the cause of it all

What do you know about pain?

Budgie