PREFACE
Thirteen is about celebration, celebrating the birth of Class Twenty6. Class Twenty6 was officially established on 13th December, 2013, hence the number thirteen is significant to us. Thirteen is about reflection of why we do what we do as artists; whether it is writing, singing, drawing or any other type of art. Thirteen is a remembrance that God is the one who gave us gifts to proclaim His Name through art. May you be blessed as you go through these pages, and always remember that God is every faithful.
Class Twenty6 PoetsTHIRTEEN REASONS
Derived Truth
Thirteen reasons why, I cut open words, into phrases and sentences.
THIRTEEN LINES
Cornelius Mpesi
There is so much more, to explore
As I uncover an arsenal It's like I am on a suicide mission
Well words are from the beginning
The only friends I had Navigating the streams of Language barriers and Culture shock Words in the beginning were, The only way I could share Being a wretch and being immersed And drenched in His endless Love And now I don’t hide them I watch the Word write words out of me
To explode and be spent for Him
Like a sweet-smelling aroma
Detonating the Gospel of peace 'Cause how beautiful are the feet
And just like that I am undercover Another mission with the same vision To snatch the lost from the fiery fire So, I am bundled with more fire
Psalm 45:1, I address my verses to the King
THIRTEENTH DISCIPLE
Disciple Mac Like a prime number Divisible by none Unpopular to many Yet valuable and primary Studying the 12 in the gospel Like I'm the untold 13th disciple
A disciple you won't hear much of Learning from the best Appointed by the Master Learning from others' mistakes So that I avoid the wrong path And take the right turn To graciously inherit the Kingdom
WHY I WRITE
Steve Phiri
I write not to be right
Am only being polite For of the world I am the light And I have to shine bright. Bright shining as the sunlight
I write because it is written Written not on the stone tablet but on the flesh heart I write because am inspired
To write the inspired word And I write without omission
Because am on a great commission
I write not just as a right but beyond a rite.
THE PRIEST
Christina
C. MpesiA paper and pencil met
At the altar of a priest, the newspaper. A crazy beginning, a great journey, Hopeful for a glorious ending. Mouth eager to draw every imagination, Throat never ready for high vocals, But every hymn medley that had Him The mouth pronounced it the hymn of the King. Those songs unsung, words unspoken, Prayers unuttered met at the altar of the Priest, The Alpha and Omega. Therefore, let every word spoken, glory The Priest, And this is the reason I sing.
EVER WONDERED
Alphmax Makungwa
Ever wondered why draw? Well, many have wandered Because they don’t draw Drawing
Captures the imagination From that intricate dimension Into Our vivid tangible one
I’ve ever wondered why I draw For one, I don’t want to wander For HE in the beginning Made me in His image Lest without it, I self-damage
WHY I WRITE
Nathan Mwafulirwa
It`s not because I am a poet, For one may write and not be a poetess or poet. Then what is it?
Is it that I may sound lyrical and be praised? Will there be anything to boast of? No!
It is a gift From the Master I’ve received this, one, a talent. From it that He may earn a 100% interest, Serving as the epistle of Christ. With the necessity raid on my heart, To preach Christ and Him crucified, to win the lost.
And many will believe the written Word as it is written.
GET THIS OFF MY CHEST
Loveness Kagwira
Get this off my chest
The feeling of being inferior to superior The appeal of being nobody to somebody
The act of being lowly to highly
Get this off my chest
For highly do I think of myself
Lovely do I look I myself Mightily do I feel inside of me Wisely for I am in the head
So, I will get this off my chest
For I am powerful than you can imagine
WHY I WRITE
Hamilton Kambalame Art
Is a basket
Or a channel if you like That carries Hope With healing, on its wings And when it alights on the heart It flaps, and showers Glue like stuff from elsewhere That pieces the heart together And that heart Gasps
"Oh thank God, am alive again"
BECAUSE HE LOVES US
Lucy Matiya
Oh yes, God loves us He Laid down His life And He rose again So you and I can live with Him eternally I write
To share His good news
The prophesies of old
The miracles of the gospels
The early church, The church now and the world we live in, His creation And the life ahead
Oh yes, He touched me Unto Him, be glory and honour forever