Betelnut seller

Sitting here
I look around me
People are busy as usual
Carrying on with their daily activities

Men with polished shoes
walk pass me
Women with high heeled shoes
leave an aroma behind
Youths with hopeful faces
walk tall
Kids with innocent eyes
hold onto their mothers’ skirts

And here I continue to sit
Betelnut
that’s what draws them to me

By Melinda Maro


Endurance

The road was rugged
So rough
I couldn’t walk straight
Time and time I fell
My load was heavy
So unbearable
I couldn’t go another mile

But I can’t give up now
There are still rivers to cross
Mountains to climb
Enemies to fight

But still its not the end
More rugged terrains
Steep valleys
Storms
Deathtraps
Are waiting for me
Beyond
Seems like eternity
But at last I came through
Happy and relieved
I know there is light at the end of the tunnel.

By Dominica Are

A wet night

Closer and closer
I approach there
My mind is weary
My body slumbers
I close my eyes
And slumbered deep

Sky is blue
Grass cushions my bareback
A body
Naked as mine
Shadows the sun
I whisper
A name
I want to scream it

Closer and closer I came
But find the space
Of my bedroom instead
Sweat, spit, and semen
Oh God!
Is this heaven?

Frustration and despair
I close my eyes again
And slumbered deep

By David Soroda


Needy

Man is born needy
The dependable
And equipped to serve
With eyes to see
The impoverished
So given feet can walk
To them in need
And ears can hear
Their shriek in need
And heart be hearty
To their needs
And nose be detective
To the scent of despair
So to the world
Shall tongue convey
Their needs
Then saving hands
May serve their needs
Whenever needs arise
Whatever is needed
Whoever the neediness
The feet, the tongue
The eyes, the hands
And ears are tools
To serve the needy

By Michael Geketa