Smoke engulfed the house
it was grass thatched
the wood use for building
turning black and sooty
she sat near the blazing fire
pushing the firewood every time
her head burried between legs
she stared with teary eyes
once a while
she raised her head
and surveyed her surrounding
then went back to stare
the fires shone on her face
and made little tiny stars
she was crying.....
Two sullen faces at the corner
looked at her hopelessly
their stomach bulgded out
and their tiny hands thin
almost falling down
they looked like tiny branches
on the mogumo tree
she kept stealing glances at them
and they kept staring at the fire wondering why it was burning
with no pot on it
fraile as she was
she had hope in her
poor as she might be
she could afford a box of matches
when the fire is nearly dying she hears the sound of an bird
she walks outside to look and finds a guniea fowl
it doesnt move even an inch
she grabs it effortlessly
and they have a meal for a day
maybe two or three more to come

how many have this kind of hope
how many believe in themselves
she may not have had food
but she had a box of matches
she lit the fire to give hope
to the kids staring angrily at her
she didnt know how to feed them
but she kept hoping they will eat
and when the fire is almost gone
they have a meal that lasts them
how many give up last minute
how many curse the day
that they were born?
Do not give up,dont despair
it could be at your door
just wait till the last embers
and let doors be open
keep staring at the fire burning
and be brave always
and keep the faith too
for you never know
when the Lord shall bless you

like everyone else
your story is long
but dont think its the worse
for one of these days
your victory shall be at your door.