Check Points and Curfews
I
The Birthing of Check Points
A man with whom
we share a common ancestry,
claims he has been anointed by God.
We do not see with his eyes.
His disciples, anointed by witches’ oils,
have become invisible,
devour enemy warriors,
drink their blood,
have made themselves invincible.
They leave ashes
where quiet villages stood.
The spirit of revenge
flirt with many hearts
as churches, the sanctuary
of the wretched, gather skeletons.
IV
Curfew
Imprisoned dust to dawn,
women dare not go in labor.
We dare not get bitten by
snake or scorpion. We dare not fall into
a hallucinating malaria fever.
The trip in wheelbarrow
to the nearest healer,
will be our death warrant.
The village comes to life
when the cocks crow.
We close our doors when
chickens nod in their coop.
Do not give the soldier an excuse
to be ”boss-man,” do not give him
a reason to test his weapon.
There might be no time
to place a cross on your grave.
We do not want you buried
like diseased cattle.
© Althea Romeo-Mark 1995 Revised 11.06.09
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