Her sorrow is lying in the centre of her breasts

A mother is silent

The tears at the bottom of her ocean refuse to arise

She sees the sun set at midnight

Without the promise of a new day to rise

 

Her dreams shattered

Her children orphaned

Her men and women widowed

Her people spraying each other with bullets

As if they were but mere bugs

The lullaby from the lips of guns keeps her awake

 

Cluelessly without hope she asks the night,

“How can it be that the land I once gently

Nurtured is now soaked in blood?”

“Why is the darkness looming over me?”

 

She knows today is gone

Yet she can not go back to yesterday

She must hold onto tomorrow, though unknown-

Peace hides in its secret haven

Refusing to show face

Author's Note

criticism is welcome

Reviews

[Natasha]

The line that stood out the most to me was "The lullaby from the lips of guns keep her awake" great line! What a sad but real poem. Sometimes we need to write about these issues going on in the world and to express our pain. One point of constructive criticism would be to work on punctuation at the end of your lines and know when thoughts end and when thoughts need commas or no commas.

[Mary Helda]

i will definately check on that and learn how to punctuate my work...thank you so much..i really appreciate it:-)

[Natasha]

of course! I honestly just learned a bit ago how to punctuate and it definitely is still something I personally struggle with as well! It takes many years to really understand poetry since each poem is so different in how it is formed and structured!

[Mary Helda]

yeah that is true..but there is so much fun in learning poetry

[SuspectGray]

It never ceases to amaze me of the cultural trials that other countries...and especially the women in them...must face on a daily basis.

[Mary Helda]

Yes..that is right..thank you:-)

[Érenn]

It's one thing to read and it's another thing to be immersed in the read. I felt i was right now part of that scenario. Such deep emotions flowed through this poem to my heart. I loved it even if it pained me.

[Mary Helda]

Thank you my dear :-)..i really do appreciate it.

[Érenn]

Your welcome ^^

[Solar]

A deeply-moving poem, expressed through the tears of a mother - inspite of the horrors as histories play out, the hope for peace.

[Mary Helda]

Yes,thats right ...thank you:-)

[Randhir kaur]

Nicely penned...Enjoyed it thoroughly..

[Mary Helda]

Thank you dear:-)

[Randhir kaur]

Do not mention..

[Krizito]

"She must hold onto tomorrow,though unknown
Peace hides in its secret haven
Refusing to show its face"
Beauty in words...no criticism here, just awe at the free-flowing emotions..
#Do come out BURUNDI..we beg.

[Mary Helda]

Oh dear..thank you so much:-)

[Mary Helda]

Oh dear..thank you so much:-)

[softlyfall]

I have looked and looked at Africa from afar.
I see many sadnesses and incredible beauty and fear and hope and violence and life and love.
What strikes me the most is that the people there who seem to have the most to bear keep smiles on their faces and feel spiritual joy. As much as is humanly possible.
I cannot help but think that spirit runs deep and wide in Africa.

[Mary Helda]

well there is so much negativity and terrible things brewing in this world..at some point you run out of tears and try to smile..and seek God

[softlyfall]

How can a human being criticize truth and heart, my friend?
There is nothing here to criticize.

This is perfect.
Made my heart ache.

[Mary Helda]

Thank you dear friend...i am sorry for making your heart ache though:-)....your comment almost brought tears to my eyes..thank you:-)

[Tonyna]

Such an expressive and touching read. So much hurt in this world we cannot hide from. Thank you for sharing with us.

[Mary Helda]

Thank you for dropping by:-)

[jesserose99]

I have no criticism Mary...your words are moving, your metaphors striking, straight to the heart. A powerful depiction of pain that goes on all over the world, but that is personal to Burundi too.

Done with grace...and poems about war and anger are not always able to pull that off. well done.

[Mary Helda]

thank you so much:-)