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

[Mister T.]

What people are capable of nowadays.. The way they treat each other, the way they treat each other like animals ruthlessly..
The future is never clearly visible for the poor civilians forced to live in constant firefights and poverty.. Where are we going?
Anyway, great poem. It touches my heart.

[Mary Helda]

Thank you Mister T..i keep wondering the same thing

[Jennifer Shaw]

This poem is very sad and very pretty. Definitely written to inspire deep emotion. Keep writing!

[Mary Helda]

Thank you Jenny:-)

[David Marsden]

Such a powerful and stiring poem, and current as to the atrocities happening in Africa, and all over the world. This poem tells the true story, the true horror, of what has and is happening, without the story being sensationalised or glossed over, there is no gloss, just death and sadness.
Keep on writing.

[Mary Helda]

Thank you sir...i will keep on writing

[gentlekindness]

Love the closing lines. They tie the poem together nicely.
Very well done.
Annie

[Mary Helda]

thank you so much Annie:-)

[Tom]

To hear their children laugh again is the desperate implore of the people !

A heartfelt, touching poem, penned with pride and compassion !

[Mary Helda]

Thank you Tom...i hope they laugh again

[Great Aunt Astri]

This is a beautiful, albeit, poignant poem. Yes, Burundi's mother must be shattered. Let's hope the tide turns and her dreams realised.

[Mary Helda]

Thank you:-)...that is my prayer too..for burundi and for the rest of the countried experiencing violence

[Norman T]

This is wonderful writing, Mary. The suffering, coupled with stoic resilience comes over very strongly and gives a message to us all about compassion.
Your words are well chosen. powerful yet still gentle.

Norman

[Mary Helda]

Thank you Norman..i think i did achieve my goal afterall..:-)...

[V]

It's a sad one but I think you poured a part of truth in it. Contemporary, honest thoughtful write.

[Mary Helda]

Thank you dear friend..i appreciate it

[Deanna M.]

This poem really paints a clear picture about what people face when their countries are at war. The sadness that the go through and the things they have to see. If they have children the also have to protect their children from the danger that is occurring. It's sad to see someones country, the only place that they know as home, destroyed by war. Very well written poem, and can't wait to read more of your work.

[Mary Helda]

yes.it really is sad..and thank you for your kind words

[gentlekindness]

Very good poem depicting the sorrows of war. It was good that you used the point of view of the mother.
Thank you for sharing.

[Mary Helda]

thank you..i appreciate it

[gentlekindness]

You are welcome. Keep writing and sharing,
Annie💕