African Seed
Terror lurks in the darkened eyes of a growing child
As each minute she dips into the shrieks from her mama, 25;
Marked dad curled in silence on the ground, wanting life,
Marked by another man who’d barely seen seasons 25.
She recalls how daddy cried out and fell silent to the ground.
Mum recoiled at many punches many staunch “men” had found.
She was 4 back then, and saw as men 12-year olds from out of town
As they ripped her mama’s clothes…she closes her eyes, counting each heart pound.
She recalls that red stream that slithered to her hidden corner
Soaking her skirt; soaking in hurt like staring at the sun’s corona.
Outside guns rattled, taking out all who could mourn her.
Lonely, the tears trickled down slowly, spelling “Were’t I wasn’t born, Ah!”
Slowly the tears trickled down that lonely jaw…
“Jane”, cried the professor, “What’s the result of this mixture?”
Jane knew not what was before, she stood there distraught.
She wishes she could do better, but her past sticks in the picture.
(c) Nyonglema
Copyright © Nyonglema Pisoh | Year Posted 2014
Post Comments
Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.
Please
Login
to post a comment