Diamonds Tears... Poem by Kenneth Maswabi

her eyes sparkled
as her mother held her
folding her warmly in her bosom
her labor pains still fresh
she smiled in delight
having delivered a princess
the mother of a nation
the day was thirty.sept.1966

she was born out of poverty
determined to succeed
with hard work and determination
she looked to the future
and never looked back
she preached tolerance
peace and democracy
with her hands she built roads
schools and hospitals
with her broom
she swept poverty away
into the dark corners of the streets
she was delighted by her achievements

she seemed to be flying
undisturbed by the rough road below
she was fearless
as she chased her dreams
she was untouchable
as she reached for the heavens
she wanted to touch the stars
and be one with them for eternity
she was captivated by her ambitions

at some point in her journey
she overworked herself
crossing her limits
exhausting the precious energy
that she thought was everlasting
she was tired and exhausted
neglecting her duties
she left the door open
her children unattended
her chickens not protected
from the foxes that the roam the forest
the wolves that howl at night
and the tigers that boldly kill at midday

she was helpless, it seemed
with no one to quench her thirst
and care for her wounds
she lay there in surrender
giving up all hope
to see her children grow
and her grandchildren smile
she cried in silence
diamond tears ever shining
hitting the ground in droves

in what seemed like forever
she lay there in a stuporous state
unwell and unattended
no good samaritan at her side
no hope to hold onto
she cried out loud
calling out to the gods
to rescue her
to break down her chains
and set her free again...

they say never say never
for someone had dialled 911
and help was on the way
with sirens help came running