The edges are worn, the seams torn and in need of mending
the thread is sticking out, and begging to be sawed back in
The colour is long faded from too many twists and turns
in the washing basin.
War, disease, storms,
She has been tried and tested
But her warmth remains
Thieves, Saints
Men, women,
Natives, foreigners
She embraces them all
Her mountains, hills and valleys mark her borders and litter the
expanse defying time and greed
Forever open to us all
Our common plate
Life ends and begins
Seasons come and go
And time again
She remains unchanging
Torn, bruised, abused,
Even when her blood is spilled,
Arms and heart wide open, new life begins
Doesn’t discriminate
All that live within her
Are secure and sure of their place
She embraces all that happen upon her borders
The heart of Africa, Uganda
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem