Kop Les*

just found out he died

pity

won't get to tell him,
that teacher of mine
that bruises on kids
cancel out
that one on your forehead

the blackboard duster
you used on my knuckles
"knuckle-duster" ha ha
your attempt at humour
you sadistic fuck
also wiped off all the stuff
the good moral lessons
off the blackboard of my mind

that blackboard ruler
the edge of which
marked my life-line
disturbed the rules
you held so dearly
and tried to enforce

If I could
would I punctuate
every fat'hah
dhammah
kasrah
of the lessons you got me to learn,
with punches to your head,
to your spittle-flecked beard
so you learnt
that this is not the way
you teach
or inspire
or treat a child?

Or would I embrace you?
show you I was the better man
despite your lessons
because of mine
Frailty your companion
your enemy, time.




so much I would tell you
so much I could teach you

just found out you died

pity



*Kop Les- Afrikaans, literally "head lesson", referring to memorising verses of Arabic.