Sinqobile

I held her in my arms and watched as the sobs grew louder.
Shoulders heaving up and down,
Eyes covered by shaking hands clenched tightly over her tiny face,
Not wanting to let go.

Her heart breaking at the same places,
Old scars that tore apart when her parents died
Now bleed familiar blood over her aching soul.

I grasp her tightly, trying to hold her world together,
Unable to find the words to show her I'm there.
A stroke of her braided hair,"It's ok... I'm here."
And yet it's not me she wants to hold her tears.

Thank you Maam," as I tuck her into bed,
A reminder of the distance stopping me from truly comforting her,
Of the cultures, worlds that force those tears to wash right off my olive-oil skin.


I pull up the blankets
And plunge her into lonely darkness once again...