Smoky Mirrors

Laughter trills,
but an echo of sorrow deep.
A brilliant smile,
Beneath waves of despair.
Twinkling eyes,
flashes of saddness
The painted face the world sees

Is there but one,
to see past the colors?
Must I remain,
alone in the depth of my sorrow,
but laughter show?
will one see what is,
A face i paint for all.

Wealth Of A Beggar

Sitting by the busy roadside,
Eyes shut in exhaustion
Drained by the sight of wealth
In moving vehicles,
Her frail feeble arms stroll open
Stretched for any pitiful penny.

Her breasts clutch onto her bony chest,
In irrevocable misery
Deep cracks of poverty
Embellish plight on her lips

By her side,
Plays the beggar baby, crawling
Smiling, unaware of the stench of sadness
Its emaciated mother gives off

A sudden shudder!
The sound of screeching brakes,…
Open her dulled eyes
A body sunk in young blood.
Death of the beggar baby,
Punctuates the beggar’s wealth.

© I K Nakueira

African Reunion

Dear ma,
I have not let the tears,
Drown the smiles of past years
I cannot hold them back, so they roll
But they will not reside,
In the shadows on my face

Dear mama,
Seven months have made me older,
The night owl feels much colder
But it is only time that keeps us apart,
The thud of merciless boots,
Stills echoes,
Shuddering my sleepless nights

Dear mother,
There is no where else to hide.
The butchers will call soon,
Smudged soils shall soak in my blood
So soon,
I will be with you again mother,
So soon.

© I K Nakueira