Ethiopian Sand
Ethiopian Sand
Miles on exhausted feet
Walking in dessert heat
Sand storms cause disarray
Individuals lose their way
Some fall from dehydration and fatigue
Others lost to snake and scorpion feigns
Hiding in ankle-high plants-underbrush
Grazed by donkey, camel, and sheep
Fetching for water
Gathering woodfire
Overseeing domesticity
Is a woman’s duty
Drawing milk
From the herd
Is a girl’s pride and deed
Home bound now
At lecture’s end
Thirst with drought begins
I crave plenty
Feet bake and sink in the sand
I reach a well
Drink and soak my head
Tired and drained
I, a girl ,help dig out a well
My paper, pen and book
My promise of hope
At school day’s end
Teen boy mines salt with pa
Homework left to the side
Gets done when there is time
Though together there’s enough
Both agree schooling brings relief
Tent dens and stick houses
Await our return
On our share of Ethiopian sand
Marckincia Jean
Free verse
06/16/19
Copyright © Marckincia Jean | Year Posted 2019
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