The journeys of women in rural Africa

By Sheila Ochugboju

When Mama walks…sometimes we have very far to go…

When she walks slow and heavy…like this…

I know our journey is long and she is sad.

She walks because she can and no one comes and nothing changes…unless she walks.

She walks to meet the medicine man, when the cold is bad

and my chest is heavy and the fevers come.

She walks when we need water or firewood or food.

She walks dragging, sagging loads and me.

She does not want to walk each day.

Today…I feel her heart is pounding …

though her chest is thin and sharp,

I love to hear her soul speak… hard and low today.

Mama walks for me. Soon I will walk for her…

but someday…they will build a road and that thing that breathes out

fire and smoke will take us where our dreams now roam…

and My Mama will walk no more…

NAIROBIKNOWS

Picture: Joshua Wanyama