The Teenager Poem by Aziz Baako

I once saw a teenage girl prowl the streets
With pride and energy.
She strolled into a salon.
She modeled by piles of cosmetics
To a large mirror.
Turning left and right
As if checking for errors.

I tapped her and chipped
In. She smile and said she is
Clara, Ancestor I mentioned
My name. Ancestor! She exclaimed
Yes Ancestor I claimed.

After a lengthy chat,
I told her about everything I know
About the news that day.
I told her about Aziz
And she told me about Freedom
I told her everything new today would be old
Tomorrow and asked her what she thinks
About the world today.

She sounded so ignorant
So I realize how much she needs
Me. I asked her what she does
And she said she is a Waitress
In A Pub In DC.
I asked her where she stays
And she said the streets.

Keep away from the street,
It’s not safe I said.
She looked deep in side me.
Her gaze pierced deep inside
My soul till I can feel our spirit
Together at once. And she said
Nothing’s safe.
I met Clara another time
Wiping tears and cursing
The years of hassle.
She said in between tears
That Freedom
Has been jailed.

I told her
Time conquers everything,
She asked why and
I said to her with a wavy voice
That there is no explanation to that.

I told her
The test of time is one
Big examination. I mentioned
To her that one day we will
All be matching
Our souls in gray,
I told her life is a play
And the actions are buried in days.

I told her someday we will write or read
The pages of these plays.
I explained to her the reason
Why the world is so violent,
I reminded her there is hope
Because most of the African Leaders
Have studied in some of the
Finest universities.

She told me she is pregnant
And that do I think she would
Be able to take of the child after birth?
I realize her intention of an abortion,
So I told her yes with a lot of confidence.
But scared of what she will uncover
At a later age because her wage will
Definitely not sustain her child
I wonder what her rage
Will do to her age.
When reality sets in.
I wished her all the best in the journey
Of her life and strolled away in deep thoughts.


(Despair of a Displaced Person series/2005)