African Poetry
By Peter Bodo Ong'aro
My caring community
You have always catered for me
You have nursed me
Clothed, fed and sheltered me
You have been given generously
To cater for my needs
And the general community
Within my means you have lived
People run away from me
But you have always stood by me
Hard times have cropped up though
You find it difficult to hold on.
You find it hard to stand by me
Because the generosity is dwindling
People no longer give generously
For you to cater for my specials needs.
The hard times have made you turn away
You even threaten to close down
Institutions of my rehabilitation and education
Because nothing is forthcoming
You forget that the institution were built
For my sake
Changing them for other programmes
Will prove that you actually do not care for me
While I was fruitful you stood by me
Now that I am no longer providing
You are now shying away from me
My caring community why have you forsaken me
Why should I carry the cross
For the sins I have not committed
You have always benefited
At my expenses
My caring community why have you forsaken me
Triple Disadvantaged
I used to be double disadvantaged
Until the Aids scourge
Emerged on the scene
But Triple disadvantaged Now.
People view me
As the safest
Due to my mobility
Limitations.
They argue that
I do not move much
Thus chances of
Contracting HIV/Aids
Slim.
I am the endangered species
Because all roads lead
Towards me
For AIDS-free sex.
My double disadvantages
Were first as a woman
Secondly as a disabled
And now as an AIDS victim.
My appeal is
For you not to take
Undue advantage
As I am no longer safe.
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