Africa’s Child - Poetry
humanity
in a world that is inhumane
starving children sit homeless and crying
shattered dreams lay scattered about the soil
rapidly dying
where the human race
no longer has a face
but souls still exist
wandering
and wondering
where do we go
from here?
The Plight of Africa’s Child
the fight and plight of war
now a child’s game
displaced
a face with no-name
in the Great Lakes region of Africa
where war-weary children sit crying
dark people lay dying
Africa’s child soldier
Freetown
Sierra Leone
damaged and dreary
places unknown
bottomless echo’s
trapped in a downward spiral
war-torn, street children scream
far-off over the distant hills
and down a mighty stream
young lives
homelessness and destitution
diseased and deepening poverty
murdered and enslaved
digging their own dark, shallow grave
fearless fighter
young soldier at the age of seven
trails of smoke
be your stairway to heaven
from the mines of Africa
diamonds that glisten
the promise of love
yet, who’s going to save the children?
Africa’s Child
families scattered and separated
a long way gone
children set adrift
some place
on the outskirts of Luanda
sit abandoned tanks
where small children play
clueless to if
they’ll see another day
come child, lay your weary head
upon my chest and weep
your soul
into a deep, deep sleep
Terry A O’Neal is the author of two volumes of poetry, Motion Sickness and The Poet Speaks In Black. She is also the author of the children’s book, Ev’ry Little Soul. Her novel, Sweet Lavender, has just been turned into a feature film. O’Neal was born and raised in Stockton, California, and currently resides in Sacramento, California, with her husband and three children. www.TerryONeal.com