Shame On Me

There was a time when I couldn't see
beyond the boundaries of my own suffering.

Until I met a woman.

HIV positive
Raped
Beaten
Abused
Alone

And this woman, she held her head high
and she danced.

Shame on me.

Until I met a boy.

Torn clothing
Starving
No family
Bare Feet
Bruised

And this boy, he held his head high
and he sang.

Shame on me.

Shame for crying when I had
so many reasons to laugh.

Shame for not realizing how
lucky I truly was.

Shame for thinking I knew what real suffering was.

Shame on me.

Amani Ya Juu

It was there that I found it.

In the middle of a violent rain storm
a run down jeep with a leaky roof
open space surrounding us.

It came pouring down from the sky
soaking me right through to
the depths of my soul.

I hadn't even realized how dry I was.

Someday I'll take you back to that place...

the place where I found

Amani Ya Juu.

Hickey

Just below my navel where
my pants meet my waist
sits the tiny purple bruise
you left there last night
with your lips.

And throughout the day
I can't help but run my fingers
gently over it, smiling at
the memory of your mouth
in that place.

Thank You

I was taught a lesson in humility by
a little boy no older than 6.

Broken and tattered,
dirty and torn

He took my hand and smiled,
walked with me for a while.

Never said a word,
his tiny hand in mine.

Then just like that he let me go and
walked gently into the distance.

I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

Thank you little one.

Thank you little one.

Thank you.