07/08/2023
DO YOU HEAR THEM?
There is a father who gets up at six
To walk to where he has houses to fix;
His job involves building, molding, laying bricks
And he ends it every day with a strong kava mix.
I hear him when he gently sighs and says,
“When will my family and I see better pays?”
There is a mother who gets up at four
To feed her kids before leaving the door.
She makes a fire, cleans and sweeps the floor,
But cries when there’s money for food no more.
I hear her when she gently sighs and says,
“Why can’t I even afford a meal these days?”
There is a parent who works till eight,
To afford and provide, they opt to stay late
Hoping their lives can have a better fate,
But they sacrifice family for that higher rate.
I hear them when they gently sigh and say,
“Will the system aid or break this highway?”
There is a girl who wakes up at five
To tend to her baby and keep her alive;
She gardens, markets, and sells to thrive,
But she has no one else to help them survive.
I hear her when she gently sighs and says,
“Will my child grow up in a better phase?”
There is a boy who wakes up at noon
To only get up for a plate and a spoon.
He was a ‘joss’ looking for a finer tune,
But struggling for a job, he joins RSE in June.
I hear him when he gently sighs and says,
“If not supported, then no one really cares?”
There is a teenager who gets up at three
To do schoolwork, hoping to one day be free.
They study hard, yearning for that degree,
But worry their parents can't meet the school fee.
I hear them when they gently sigh and say,
“Am I this country’s future or its dismay?”
There is a people who get up everyday
Struggling in rural communities for a pathway;
They look for a support system or outlay,
Hoping political leaders will help and convey.
I hear them when they gently sigh and say,
“Will tomorrow really be brighter than yesterday?”
I hear these voices and many more,
Their characters breaking me to the core.
We claim one people, one society, one nation,
But are deaf to the majority of God’s creation.
Don’t YOU hear them gently sigh and implore,
“If you fight NOT for us- the people, then what for?”
Written by Telstar Jimmy
