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