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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

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Gershon Wolf Date: 6/18/2019 9:43:00 PM Had to read this, as in 1977 I taught Hebrew to 3 of the first 120 Ethiopian Jews/Falashas airlifted to Israel in Operation Solomon. Real gentlemen, all three. They all integrated quite well into Israeli society, unlike some folks who came later. Thanks for this glimpse into your(?) country. Best wishes, Gershon Login to Reply