The New Law

My fellow South Africans,

You have heard it said that it takes a village to raise a child, but I tell you
to reduce your village to your household and your handheld.

You have heard it said that two in distress make sorrow less, but I tell you
to bury your beloveds without a begrafnisbroodjie in you right hand, the other’s tears in your left.

You have heard it said that shared joy is doubled, but I tell you
to wed without all your witnesses, to age without the candles, to graduate without the cap.

You have heard it said that if you won’t work, you shan’t eat, but I tell you
to forget the words, to forgo the work, for the sake of others.

You have heard it said that such a life, such a death, but I tell you  
to dig graves blind to age, gender, race, income, or quality of or goodness in life.

But then again. You already noticed. You already know this.