(Dedicated to Keorapetse Kgositsile)
my children have never known peace
my children have never been to sleep without fear
my children have no vision of kingdoms of joy
steeped too early in the harsh brine of truth
my children are given no time for dreams
steeled too early in forced hard emotions
- they cough too many bitter soliloquies
if I could give them one gift
it would be a news report that peace had broken out and claimed them
-so I could watch them hug each other as they yearn to do
it would be an answer to their anger
-something to make sweet poetry fall from their tongues
it would be an equation to end the self-doubt that disturbs their youth
-a storehouse to feast from in the glorious freshness of their age
it would be pages in a treasure book to write their hopes
to dedicate the lyrics which will season their songs
my gift would be a village surrounded by even chances
to nourish their unrealized genius
it would be the luxury to play games without penalties
my children have never known peace
my children have never been to sleep without fear
my children have no vision of kingdoms of joy
it saddens my soul that they are captives
quartered between justice denied and wanton greed
where they stand weaponless
I would make them a pledge
not to sleep until peace comes
not to smile until peace comes
not to sit down until peace comes
not to bargain with anybody who stands in the way of their peace
not to give refuge to my own brother and sister if they are enemies of the peace
not to regret any action I must take as long as peace is ducking and dodging
not to let any man rest who steals the peace
My children have never known peace
and I will die trying to help them find it in their own backyards
(August 2000 by Ja A. Jahannes)
Dr. Ja A. Jahannes is a psychologist, educator, writer, composer and a social critic. He is President and founder of Melanon Enterprises; Senior Editor of Metropolitan Business News (a business newspaper which focuses on minorities and women) and a frequent writer and columnist for numerous publications; and Senior Pastor of Abyssinia Baptist Church, Inc., (Savannah, GA).
For more information see:
Published in In Motion Magazine February 1, 2001.
