Of Hidden and Hungry Hustles

police or no police, they return, bellies rule,
on the pavements, it's a hustle, wares rule,
one is a cigarette and airtime street hawker,
the other one sells a variety of vegetables,
both are university graduates and returnees
from South Africa: the cigarette purveyor
was deported, the other dealer clams he left
of his own accord for fear of xenophobic attacks.

They are discussing the state of the economy,
the vegetable seller: we're faced with the chief ironies
of our businesses, it looks like every citizen has been
forced to trade informally, now who's going to buy
from who? At least under the guise of selling cigarettes,
your mbanje (marijuana) twists are twisting 'n' winning,
since a stressed soul needs them to shake up things; veggies
are my sidekicks, forex, my cash cow, where are you today?