My Sister
We are becoming involved in a situation here regarding a maid who is being mistreated. There is much to say about the subjet, but at this point, I cannot write it all. This is what my heart is saying.
My Sister
Your face is black
Your hair in tight knots
You come from beyond the Saharan sands
And yet,
You are my sister
Your English is labored
Your mother tongue so foreign to me
that I cannot understand one single word
And yet,
You are my sister
You are not allowed to worship with us
You sneak to my house to study the Bible and pray
You are starving for fellowship
You are hungry
You receive almost no pay for your labor
Day and night and day and night
You don’t even have money for soap
You have tears in your eyes
You are not permitted to contact your family far away
You cannot leave the grounds
You have no freedom
You are a slave
You are screamed at
Blamed
Shamed
Insulted
And I’m just around the corner from you,
My sister
And yet you love your charges
Hold them tenderly
Kiss their tears away
Speak gently to them –
How do you do it,
My sister?
You can’t go home
Your passport is in the possession of one who controls you
You have no money
But you are not without hope,
My sister
Your face is black
Your hair in tight knots
You come from beyond the Saharan sands
And yet,
You are my sister
Your English is labored
Your mother tongue so foreign to me
that I cannot understand one single word
And yet,
You are my sister
You are not allowed to worship with us
You sneak to my house to study the Bible and pray
You are starving for fellowship
You are hungry
You receive almost no pay for your labor
Day and night and day and night
You don’t even have money for soap
You have tears in your eyes
You are not permitted to contact your family far away
You cannot leave the grounds
You have no freedom
You are a slave
You are screamed at
Blamed
Shamed
Insulted
And I’m just around the corner from you,
My sister
And yet you love your charges
Hold them tenderly
Kiss their tears away
Speak gently to them –
How do you do it,
My sister?
You can’t go home
Your passport is in the possession of one who controls you
You have no money
But you are not without hope,
My sister
We will find a way
For you to fly home
To be free again
My sister
For you to fly home
To be free again
My sister
posted by Reimer Ramblings @ 11:49 AM
4 Comments
4 Comments:
Julie, what a touching poem, it tugged at my heart-strings. Didn't know you were a poet. Hope all goes well there. Hugs to all
Thanks, Janet. I'm not a poet - but I do have to write to process things! Still working on this situation.
Julie,
I thought I would check your blog before going to bed - - and first thing I see is, "My Sister", followed by your heartfelt poem.
My sister Judy died 4 years ago today. My heart is full also - and to see and read about your friend allowed tears to flow for BOTH sisters. Thanks for the poem.
Love, Katie
Wow - it's been four years already. Just like Dad. Your tears are seen by our father!
Hugs,
Julie
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