REMEMBERING RWANDA

Ah, Rwanda, I mourn for you

your children

your lost families

your dreams

I heard about your

troubles

the "choppings"

I felt I could hear

the screams

No one did anything,

as I recall

No one did anything

much at all

Some individuals

did their best

but what about the rest?

The UN soldiers could not shoot

and said they were "peacekeepers"

How do you keep a non-existent

peace?

I do not know.

Why didn't they break or bend the rules?

Well, I am among those

who did nothing

I could say

I didn't know what to do.

I am not Tutsi

I am not Hutu

I was among the millions

of the world,

who shook our heads so sadly

when we saw the photos

that caused our senses to

reel and swirl

But, tomorrow was another day

and there was nothing we could do or say -

So, I think of you, Rwanda.

You have my prayers today

For your children,

your women and your men

are still not safe, and many

have disappeared, just gone away ~~

For the survivors, the orphans.

the injuries on the outside

are nothing compared to

the injuries inside

So, today I remember you, Rwanda

and the days when so many

of you died.

© Christina 4-05

Inspired by "Hotel Rwanda"