I Do Not Count

I do not count
I am poverty
torn apart
cursed and cried
dignity rented at night
my children sold up
my kidneys moneyed
of myself never mine
much pitied
tears unreturned
I do not count

I am peace
unwished and unwilling
nights terrorized
sleeps beheaded
innocence fired at
my chest mutilated
my heart raped
soul exiled
much shot at
wounds unaccounted
buried alive
I do not count

I am humanity
turned aside
chained, defiled
spit upon and humiliated
my voice gagged
and trampled upon
much exonerated
shame denuded
I do not count
No, I do not count




(18 August 2004)