For a Little Sister, not to Grow - Zvisinei C. Sandi

Don’t grow Midi,

Remain gold

Don’t let the passing of the years

Turn you into yet

Some more waste

The world is a lovely place Midi

When you are young

It makes you believe in it and

Trust in it and

Think it goes on forever

But soon you are grown

Only to find that

The glowing flower withers and

The green grass dries up and

Everything has an end

Watch the sun at dawn little sister

Ruby gold and smiling

But watch it at midday and

It’s embittered and

It’s cruel and

Scowling at you

See the budding leaf Midi

’Tis pure gold

But look again and 

Then you’ll find

That the days pass on and

Everything reduced to waste and

Even the innocent golden leaf

Then let your arms encircle me Midi

And hug

Tight, tight

And let me cry

For pain and

Loss and

For love that ends too quickly

And cry, Midi

For Eden that turns into hell

Don’t grow, Midi

Remain gold.

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Zvisinei C. Sandi (21st century) Zimbabwe

Source: Crossing Borders Issue 12