Poetry Fix (for those who need it.)

Mama Mzazi [Mother who produces offspring]

It was not long ago I held little hands, and taught him to walk

Cupped his face and corrected his dialect.

He’d look up at me and show little white teeth

Then repeat

What mama just told him.

~I placed that memory in my heart~

The sun would awaken to

Her-eyes-on

Him

And kiss his skin

All day…as he played

With sticks

And rocks

Clay stuffed bottle tops…

A ball I’d gotten…

~I placed that memory in my heart~

One day, strangers came

Though we all looked the same

Shots rang

I grabbed my joy

And held him tight

A man and I began to fight

Then he stole my joy from me

~I placed that memory in my heart~

He gave my baby a rifle

And shoved him to take aim

The hurt and fear within his eye

Has riddled me with pain

But I know if he won’t do as he’s told

They’ll just as quickly free his soul

I nod and close my eyes

He does the same

Lifts his rifle…then takes aim

Releasing one where I placed his memories

……They disperse……

Theresse A. Bynum 2/17/2011

http://ebook30.com/study/politics/129498/first-kill-your-family-child-soldiers-of-uganda-and-the-lords-resistance-army.html