I Have Not Today Tomorrow I Do
The class was quiet, each faced his book
The only sound … the papers whispering
Some talking in rhyme as if in a duet
As the pages were turned over and over again.
But the little boy, so short sat
At the back of the class with no book
He sat alone to watch; content
As the rest continued their books to look.
The teacher watched and not with a smile
‘Is this your mamas kitchen that you come to cook,
Imaginary food that never really cooks “he asked
The little short boy looked up in fear….
“You think yourself better than the rest,
I assure you ,you will fail and join the beggars in the streets”
The little boy just sat and stared as two parallel streams,
Of salty tears wound their way down his cheeks.
The teacher turned in anger and left
The other students sneered and giggled.
The bell rang and everybody ran Everyone except he
Then he got up pulled his thread bare bag to his chest and ran.
The old lady lay curled in pain,
“Doctor please have mercy, we have no money
But please help my wife,” the old man cried.
The short robust doctor looked at the old man.
Recognition hitting him full force.
The old man clung to him, begging crying
“Teacher Ben I will help her have no worry” the doctor replied
The teacher gave a start and peered into his eyes
He reached out to the recesses of his mind
“Who are you” but the doctor was already gone.
He sat and watched his wife wheeled away.
“The operation was successful “the doctor announced
Rousing him from his musings.
He stood and shook the doctor’s hand “thank you but…”
“But do I know you from somewhere?” he asked the doctor
The doctor looked up at him, straight in the eyes
Gave him a smile and gave him his regards
Then he turned and walked away.
The old man sat next to his sedated wife’s bed
Deep in thought then like the clouds opening up to reveal the
Clear blue sky
He saw the boy in threadbare clothes seated at the back of the class
Looking up at him with tears in his eyes and knew
The doctor and the boy were one and the same!
With his head bowed in shame and with tears in his voice
He asked God for forgiveness
.
Copyright © Marion Mwangi | Year Posted 2015
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