Written in 2011 after years of devastation of Zimbabwe under Robert Mugabe's rule. |
Zimbabwe Child Papa cross the Limpopo not fear crocodile say, get work gone whole year. No letter for Mama no medicine. Miriam, she eight sweep floor, clean baby wipe Mama’s brow spoon mankata* broth. No school for Miriam no medicine. Beggar bowl for maize I dig in dirt find siboyani root* to feed scorpion in belly. No maize for make nsimi* no medicine. Baby sick like Mama before she go to clinic not come home baby cry dry tears No milk for baby no medicine. No one see no one care throw away Zimbabwe child. No letter, no school no maize, no milk. No medicine. ---- Judi Van Gorder 36 Lines Free Verse sixains Background ▼ *siboyani root, - native African plant, the root is dug up and must be boiled 5 hours before it can be mashed in the broth. *mankata root, - native African plant, the root is found in swampy areas. *nsimi - is a kind of dumpling or bread that is made from cornmeal with oil and water then rolled into balls and eaten dipped into vegetable broth Multicultural Merit Badge Presented to Tinker1111 on February 3rd, 2018 by Louise Wiggins For raising our awareness and for writing with the understanding that everyone matters. |