Friends That Mattered.. Poem by Amos Christopherson Masereka

Long time ago in a village
on the then Zaire border
we stayed near the church and school and market and main road

when the 1996 war battle
that saw hundreds dead and women widowed
and their young ladies' virginity journeyed.

There were young friends that mattered,
B'yen, B'Ken, J'Kef, Many others and I.
Played games together like family.
Visited each other and sung songs that bonded us.

At age 30 plus everyone has children and siblings to care for.
Rarely meet to greet,
Life's lessons continues to teach us and we rarely gather on a new year's day
To sing our worries out and share experiences like we used to.

Social media sites help us to instill oneness and raise our spirits high
Those that went far
From us enjoy a living either in Europe, Afghanistan or US or UAE, or Arab countries; call us
To tell us how Africa has no occupants.

Instead of uplifting and encouraging us.

They,
Call us
only to embarrass us of our stunting growth.

Somewhere
your friends are suffering
Some struggle to provide food on table

Support
Them with ideas.