Some people
it seems
have to carry
their crosses
for the rest
of their lives.
Others think
they can get away
with it
simply by
throwing theirs
into ballot boxes.
Questions
What does it mean to "carry your cross"?
What is a ballot box?
Another kind of cross is mentioned in the poem. What is this kind of cross?
Two groups of people are mentioned, "some" and "others". Who is "some", and who are the "others"? Remember that this poem was written during the Apartheid years when only white people had the vote.
What does the use of the word "think" in the first line of the second stanza imply?
Explain the satire in this poem. Who is being attacked? Why?
The poem is titled The Chosen Ones. Why has the poet called it this?
Writing Exercise
The English Labour Party politician, Ken Livingstone, wrote a book entitled If voting changed anything, they'd abolish it!
Since democracy in South Africa, everybody has had a vote. Has the vote changed anything? Write an essay of about 300-400 words.
