This was one of my favorite poems from East African writers in the 20th Century.
THE MONEY – CHANGERS
By Richard S. Mabala
Dreamed my way into Church
Church built of coloured paper
On silver-coated foundations
Normal unintelligeble rumble
Of muttered prayers
Barely audible above
The rustle of notes
And the clink of coins
Strange prayer indeed!
Our Father who art in – CLINK –
Hallowed be thy – CLINK –
Thy -CLINK – come
Thy will be – CLINK –
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily – CLINK –
And forgive us our CLINK –
As we – CLINK – them that trespass against us
And lead us – CLINK – into -CLINK –
But – CLINK CLINK CLINK – evil
A – CLINK – .
It was really a magnificent sight
Enough to inspire the most hardened sinner
But I couldn’t help trembling
And looking over my shoulder
Wondering
When
We would be driven out
With a whip.
