my boy saye
the last i saw him dressed in his sunday’s best
going down the road of fortune
my boy was going to make me proud someday
i couldn’t afford to give him a better life
so i entrusted my faith to the fate of the civilized world
back home, harvest seasons had come and gone
like christ, there are no signs of his return
but i still look down the dusty road he once departed on
i imagined,
saye, my boy, running up to hug me
i know it has been long
he might be all grown up but for me, he’s still my little boy
the one i tugged to sleep every night
blessed his future and wished him every good
that i hadn’t experienced myself
wherever he is today, my prayers are with him.
going down the road of fortune
my boy was going to make me proud someday
i couldn’t afford to give him a better life
so i entrusted my faith to the fate of the civilized world
back home, harvest seasons had come and gone
like christ, there are no signs of his return
but i still look down the dusty road he once departed on
i imagined,
saye, my boy, running up to hug me
i know it has been long
he might be all grown up but for me, he’s still my little boy
the one i tugged to sleep every night
blessed his future and wished him every good
that i hadn’t experienced myself
wherever he is today, my prayers are with him.
joseph
maybe they don’t love me and that’s why they gave me away
i was given no name, so i named myself joseph
Lord, rain down your mercy if i’ve in anyway offended you
to be punished with this life
comfort me with your blessings
i’ve had too much of this rain of insults and storms of beatings.
cloth me with grace
i’ve been shown disgrace
gather up the last bits of me
i’ve been torn to pieces
give me calm
i’ve only been claimed by people with selfish aims
show me that i can cling to you for hope
and not be drenched with sorrows and fears
i hear my master pray to you
and believes you answer her prayers
as cruel as she is?
if you can answer even the prayers of my perpetrators,
then why not me?
BIO:
Aria Deemie is a multi-award winning journalist and poet, and yet she has a story waiting to be told. Currently a senior student pursuing a Master of Social Work (Clinical Social Work) at Mother Pattern College of Health Sciences, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Also as a professional, Aria serves as a Journalist, Social Media Coordinator, and Fact-checker at Local Voices Liberia, a prominent local media organization in Liberia. Through her writing, she endeavors to unveil dormant thoughts in people's minds and illuminate stories concealed in the shadows.
i was given no name, so i named myself joseph
Lord, rain down your mercy if i’ve in anyway offended you
to be punished with this life
comfort me with your blessings
i’ve had too much of this rain of insults and storms of beatings.
cloth me with grace
i’ve been shown disgrace
gather up the last bits of me
i’ve been torn to pieces
give me calm
i’ve only been claimed by people with selfish aims
show me that i can cling to you for hope
and not be drenched with sorrows and fears
i hear my master pray to you
and believes you answer her prayers
as cruel as she is?
if you can answer even the prayers of my perpetrators,
then why not me?
BIO:
Aria Deemie is a multi-award winning journalist and poet, and yet she has a story waiting to be told. Currently a senior student pursuing a Master of Social Work (Clinical Social Work) at Mother Pattern College of Health Sciences, she holds a Bachelor's degree in Social Work. Also as a professional, Aria serves as a Journalist, Social Media Coordinator, and Fact-checker at Local Voices Liberia, a prominent local media organization in Liberia. Through her writing, she endeavors to unveil dormant thoughts in people's minds and illuminate stories concealed in the shadows.
