'Braveheart' Bill

The tale of an aid worker prepared to risk his life to help others.

 

Sometimes life can be unfair,

Bill had learned when just a lad.

Time and energy he’d spare,

helping those who had it bad.

 

From Soweto to Baghdad,

and Rio to Beijing.

He’d use resources that he had,

relief from suffering he’d bring.

 

To the dangers no heed paid,

well aware his life forsaking.

Delivered water, food and aid,

felt all journeys were worth taking.

 

Through a jungle �" over sand,

this man risked life and limb.

Reaching out a helping hand,

was so natural to him.

 

Deep in Africa he fought,

to reach each starving tribe.

By armed rebels he was caught,

authorities they’d then bribe.

 

In the early days Bill kept,

up efforts to stay strong.

Slowly o’er him weakness crept,

days and nights becoming long.

 

He would say a daily prayer,

to Almighty God on high.

No sign shown of despair,

captors wouldn’t see him cry.

 

Six months passed ‘fore one night,

bright flashes and a bang.

Bill heard a ‘fire-fight’,

in the darkness weapons sang.

 

Once more silence all about,

but Bill could not now sleep.

From the quietness a shout,

that caused his heart to leap.

 

‘Braveheart...call out if you’re there,

we heard your captors plea.

We traced the rebels lair,

to come and set you free.’

 

‘Umbeki...’ Bill cried, ‘here,

please help me get untied.’

Bill shed a grateful tear,

as with happiness he cried.

 

Tears cascading down the face,

of Bill who’d been so brave.

Umbeki’s tribesmen from a place,

that Bill once helped to save...

Author's Note

A muse inspired tale...but one which I found easy to imagine. All reads and comments appreciated. Tom