THE BALLAD OF THE UBL CLIBRARY

THE BALLAD OF THE UBL CLIBRARY

I walked past the UBL CLIBRARY

where the pavement is piled up in heaps

to the shop with non-see wood windows

by the SUPA NOVA LEBANESE EATS.

As I strolled past a man selling apples

I saw a gutter where dealers deal dollars

and a man keeps a rainbow in bottles

and a woman without any eyes.

So I Cha-cha-cha'd on to the Gift Box

wrapped and tied up with burglar bars

Where the cinema is doing big business

in ancient and violent dreams.

Then I ran past a man dressed in tatters

who was screaming out words of abuse.

I ran past the kids who run rackets,

guard your car for some glue or a coke.

The roads are called Freedom and Dancing,

The drains smell of death and disease.

There are bricks that are handy for riots

and off duty police who are thieves.

There are barrows of money for burning

and rich guys who'll flog you some dope.

There are Daddies who promise you sugar

but ladies, you'll only get slim.

So 'Zikomo Lusaka' – we're leaving'

We are off to the village again.

Copyright Ruth Hartley 1991

Lusaka in crisis during the MMD riots.