13

land of many colours,

where my youth is being spent

by those who hold no love

for all that is not gold

power in their hands

and life don’t count

and here i stand at 13 years of age

gentle people taken

from all they ever knew

no reason coming forth

what did they do ???

how can rage be all i

see and feel?

and here i stand at 13 years of age

but i recall a woman, holding me

sister, mother, long since disappeared

soft skin and hair that smelled of love,

quiet nights, peaceful days

laughter, and hunger far away

taught me how

to shoot a gun

smoke some dope,

drink some rum

to fight their war

their war of no return

never question paradise,

the promised land

and here i stand at 13 years of age

but i recall a woman…

mat / iano

sept. 13