Posted by MD, USA on
The old woman squats before a clay jar of thobwa
She uncovers the basket lid from the jar and
Stirs attention with a gourdful of the brew.
The customers have all been here: cyclists
In dripping sweat have deposited their coins
In the basket gulping down their share.
Pedestrians on various chores have talked
Before the exchange and then cooled their
Parched throats to their money's worth.
But this bus passenger bellows for a gourdful
From the window, drinks deliberately slowly until
The conductor presses the go-button -
The woman picks up the pieces of her broken
Gourd, and dusting her bottom, again squats
Confronting her brew with a borrowed cup.