Junk Poem by Otieno Albert

She stood quietly on the edge, Watching the waves below. She was sure no one would miss her, They wouldn’t even know. Alone in a sea of people, Blissfully unaware. She was all but invisible, No one knew she was there. There were never any answers, Just confusion and strife. Like a piece of cosmic garbage, Living a useless life. She wondered if the fall would hurt, Would she suffer at all? What if she managed to survive, Left crippled by the fall? Perhaps her peers would notice then, Though they’d try not to stare. She wouldn’t be invisible, At least they’d see the chair. Then from behind her came a voice, “Don’t do this! ” it implored. A little girl stood all aglow, An angel from the Lord. “Mommy, I can’t let you do it. You’re worth more than you know. If your life ends, mine can’t begin; I’ll lose my chance to grow! ” The apparition startled her; A child she never bore? She couldn’t see how this could be, But needed to know more. The child became a teenager, And addressed her again. “I’ll need your patient wisdom when My rebel years begin.” She watched the vision change once more, To a young woman now. She said: “Who will plan my wedding, The day I make that vow? ” Again she saw the image change, And take her by the hand. An old woman stood promising, That soon, she’d understand. Then all around the two of them Stood people, young and old. “Each of these is your descendant.” ‘Twas a sight to behold. When the apparitions faded, Only the child remained. Saying: “Now do you understand, The things that I’ve explained? ” “There’s a reason for every life. From king to serf to drunk. And every soul is important, For God does not make junk.” With that, the vision disappeared, And finally she knew; Every person has a purpose