P oetry R epair S hop (1999.08: 092)
- CONTEMPORARY INTERNATIONAL POETRY
- by new, emerging, and established poets

MYRNA LOY
Swift Children
(Inspired by an incident at Mosolu Beach, Angola, September 1996. )

I never thought I would see the day, 
When I would be afraid...
Afraid of the children.
Beseeching fingers...
while others linger
in your personal belongings.

Mesmerized by their eyes...
We forget their plight
and fight for life.
And so nonchalant...
We ignore what they want
Forcing them to steal it.

They watch their mothers
Carry the burden of Angola
On their heads...
and shoulders...
The life of Angola
On their backs...
Ignoring the wealth of Angola
Beneath their feet.

So the fittest of the fit
become weak-limbed, soft-tongued...
swift handed, and tight lipped...
The Angolan children's survival kit.

Poem copyright 1999; all rights reserved. (If you desire a copy of this poem, please contact the AUTHOR).