The Indigent Children

Looking through the mirror, what I see is you not me

Lying in the waters is the image of you staring back.

You are me, I am you, we are all one.

Light, black, brown skin are shades of melanin.

Lush, kinky is the hair, with flashes of white eyes

And teeth making sparkles in the sun, sending

Ripples of joy and good tidings.

Looking alive and energetic is everyone as another.

Rising is this ball on flames from the east,

Unleashing with strength fahrenheit on our unclad

Broken skin.

Raising barefeet, making mashes of stones are our

Feet as dirt and sweat form destructive layers on

Our beautiful skin making it void of attraction.

Rising, raising unsure hope as hunger forms the

Crucifix on the Golgotha of our bellies.

Who are you? My brother? How can I tell as status

Has set a barrier and influence a bridge.

Leaving us in the crucible of our own peril.

Pains and pangs our pure bliss as we swim in the

Ocean of lack, walking in the sandpit of want.

Whole hearted, we have drunk in the chalice of despair.

"I am because we are" is the age long Xhosa saying.

"Live and let live" is an immemorial saying of the Igbos.

"Be thy brother's keeper" has become a cliché in this times,

Age and season as man now live for himself.

I am your brother, my brother. Look at me and see you.

Hold my hand is all I crave, be my messiah.

Be my strength, for I am weak that I may say Hosanna.

Look at me with love and care so my song would be hallelujah.

That this chalice may pass away and I dance the Dance of victory.

With my dazed eyes fixed on the horizon and my Bleeding heart appeased.

Ambassador UZOKWE CHRISTIANA CHINAZO.