Back to Barracks

Back to barracks
by Rosalie Zerrudo

I dream of a place
Where I don't see children in the streets
For they are near the rivers
Or inside their homes
Playing with their mothers
Where there is food on the table

I dream of a place
Where there are no man in the streets
For they are in the farm
Tilling the most precious gift
The fertile ground
Where all life comes out

I dream of a place
where I hear no more laughter
For my friends have consumed them
Day in and day out

I dream of a place
Where I see mothers
Wear clothes that they do not wash
Eat food that they do not cook
Enjoy a time alone for a while
away from their demanding husbands

I dream of a place
And shed some tears
Where tears become part of a meal
that turns into a human sweat soup
in factories
added to a salad
of street burned skin peel
which find comfort in a newspaper bed
in the night market

like a balnket that warms cold feet
I am surrounded
By the most simple people
Who speak their truth
Shout their anger
Cry their fears
And get aroused in their passion
And squabble over computer ink
This is the day I feel proud
For I have seen people
Exhaust their life
To sculpt urban chaos
Find beauty in the tragic poverty
So the hands shall find its way home
as they signed peace agreements
To the land
Of our dreams

This is the day
I dream no more
For my heart has awakened
As we embark on a journey
Where we can grow by giving
Where we can love by being hurt
Where we can live by dying
For each day is an opportunity
To die a little more
As we surrender to the life's
Perfect imperfections

I felt empowered that I am no longer needed
By my community for now they can stand on their own
I am sad for the loss and letting go
as the price of friendships and renewed strength
I am empowered by the affirmations
For the gift of life come in many surprises
and it can be guised as a simple heart shape bond paper
That was worth a thousand blessings
Now I can move back to my barracks
Where forgiveness is waiting in my doorsteps
And tonight I sleep in my pillow of deep love