We're liable - Lungisa Toni

I met Lungisa Toni at the company at which I work in Johannesburg, South Africa where everyone called him 'Toni' although that is his surname. Actually, he encourages the use of the name 'Toni' because he says it's an easier name for people to remember.  

Toni is a committed Christian who lives his walk with Christ in everything he does on a daily basis.  He works as a security guard and is passionate about providing service.  Sadly our company has moved to new premises and in the move, the security company which was used was changed.  This means that I will probably not be in touch with Toni anytime soon.  However, I would like to showcase this man's abundant talent.  

During the last frenetic week of our move, Toni and I chatted quite a lot and I discovered that he writes, specifically in verse.  Not only does he write, but he takes the time to engage in his world around him in a very real way and it is this engagement which forms the basis of his poetry. 

Here is one of a few of Toni's poems which I am privileged to share with you.  (English is not his first language although one would never know this).  The picture I've chosen is the cover of Ron Myers' book 'The Wholly Liable' because of the uncanny synchronicity between these two men.

We’re liable, we’re liable

Appropriate Synchronicity

Time to become realistic has come

Accepting that we are equally liable

For all that we disapprove of around

Socially, politically and economically

For our negligence and irresponsibility

Commenting and not acting, we’re liable

Eventually we have to accept

Without dealing with our perceptions

Without minding our contributions

Towards creative mindsets and routines

Surely we are also to blame for all

Hens lay eggs, what do we do? We’re liable

This our lifetime demands our efforts

For without us there is no world and life

We are the masters of our destiny

Freedom and democracy is smart always

Only for those in civilization pursuits

We’re liable to peace and prosperity