Poem to the Eritrean Mother



When the oppression began, you knew things were going to be bad
That there would be pain, suffering and agony, that the journey ahead would be sad
But from the beginning you knew what to do
When a net of oppression was forced upon you
You didn’t scream and you didn’t cry
You simply gnawed on the ropes, you wouldn’t let the enemy get the best of you, you wouldn’t lose the battle without a try
Sometimes it was so hard, it seemed as if you standing naked on the edge of a cliff,
With all your worries and sorrows, a sixty foot drop awaited you
But you were stronger than that, you didn’t let the enemy get the best of you
You took a deep breath and spread your arms and soared towards freedom as if you were an eagle
You lit a candle for your husband, sons and daughters and you didn’t blow out the flame
Everyday was a new challenge for all of the children of Eritrea, and these children needed that warm loving fire to help them along the long, harsh way
With your ardor, the days of suffering passed by quickly, every decision you made you knew would determine tomorrow
You lit that candle of bravery and honor, and you didn’t let the wind find it, you helped bring independence, the end of your children’s sorrow
Whether we told you or not, the flame you lit keeps your children going
Keeps us striving for the best, never let anyone take our pride, our wings are spread and now through the sky we are soaring

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