(Soweto Poets Week)

"the fear-filled flutter of her heart"
(from 'the face of my mother takes the shape' by James Matthews)
the full poem is below...

DEADLINE: 11:59M, 13 NOV

 
the face of my mother takes the shape by James Matthews
 
the face of my mother takes the shape of
a frightened mouse
at the sound of a policeman's step
the fear-filled flutter of her heart
a bird ensnared
my father freezes his feelings at the demand
for a pass
and i watch the fire in his
eyes slowly die
as his hands grope for the right to survive.