I AM AFRAID. I am afraid that one day someone will tie me up in a house with all my friends and burn us alive.
It has happened before.
Maybe then I will truly feel how my sisters and brothers from Ngarbuh felt as life left their little tender bodies.
I AM AFRAID. I am afraid that one day my brother will go out to fetch water and a "stray bullet" will end him.
It has happened before.
Maybe they'll think it is somebody else, maybe he'll just be another casualty of this unending war..
I AM AFRAID. I am afraid to go out and play like the kid my mother once was. I want to play outside without the fear of being stabbed in the back by those who were meant to protect me.
PEACE WORK FATHERLAND is how it was meant to be. Where is the peace that you promised? Because all I see is blood dripping everywhere.
Where is the music? where is the sound of freedom? Because all I hear are screams.
Fathers burying daughters and daughters burying sons.
I AM AFRAID. I am afraid that this smile will never be real again. Afraid that on my way to school an officer of the law will shoot my brains out in front my mother because she didn't bribe him.
It has happened before.
Maybe then the killings will end because I paid with my life. Maybe my blood will cleanse the sins of our leaders, wash away the blood of the innocent and save my people.
It has happened before.
We just want the killing to end. We just want peace. Because right now, behind this smile is a little young woman who is afraid to live.
I AM AFRAID.
©mimimilson
M