Bashemane

had we not come this far
to see the men, we would
have felt no pride
seeing them thus,
gleaming with red ochre.

strangely arrogant they were,
in their unwashed bodies,
exuding a strong odour
of manly defiance.

from where we stood,
we felt no inclination
to pretend we had rights
to stand nearer and face them.

we stood with the women
because we had never
had the experience.

and yet the women themselves,
we were uncomfortably aware,
had disapproving countenances;
clearly abashed, to be near
our uninitiated selves.