FOMO Poetry Corner
UK Charity No 1090727 Malawi Charity No CONGOMA C159/2003 & NGO/R/05/08

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A few simple rhyms that will, I hope, tell a story and give pause for thought.

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Container		Harvest's Dream
No Record		CD4 Count 201
Call to Action		Donate Today
Thirty Nine		My Brother or Me
How Old are You?		Thank You
Malaria		Visitor
Space		Bilharzias
Jigger flea		School
Eco House		Agogo's Tale
		Storm
Dear Aunt (letter)		You Make Me Forget
		The Key to Sucess
		Christmas (New)

Container The engine cools as the night draws down. By the flicker of lamps we children gather round. Its journey started under different skies. This vessel looms large before our curious eyes. In prayer we stand with our heads bowed low. To say thank you for that innermost glow. Our thoughts turn to those that labour and toil. To alight this gift of love on our soil. Doors crack open, echoing through the night, Stirring joy, excitement and scenes of delight. A chain is formed, unloading begins. Boxes, bags and all manner of things. An assembly of gifts from a distant land. Making the difference with an out stretched hand. The muscles ache, sweat covers our skin, The task is hard, but nothing is left within. The vessel is empty, the goods all stored. We pray for you and thank the Lord. A moment taken to explore what's been sent. You must know, this night, we sleep content.	Harvest's Dream Muscle and hoe prepare the soil, long days in the field we had to toil. Our precious seed we have sorted and stored, waste is not something we can now afford. The rain is heralded by a thunderous roar, Spikes of water strike, strike the floor. The first rain only damps the earth, but gives us hope of a new rebirth. To plant or not the seed we cherish, If we're wrong, we may wither or perish. The rain sweeps in on its daily quest. To banish the brown and green the nest. The seed responds to this daily shout, leaves so big and stalks so stout. The seed pods swell with glorious pride From the rain they now must hide. Rain clouds vanish from the unfolding scene Now we are in our harvest's dream.
No Record (Two Voices) The scent of sweet straw on damp earth, filled the air at my birth. ..............% Rural Population …..Estimated The first breath taken, the world to greet, No paper or document to record this feat. ..............Total Population….. Extrapolated Schooling was sporadic. I didn't excel, No certificate of achievement for pride to swell. ..............% Adult Literacy….. Approximated I toiled and laboured through my working career. No ledger entry, to witness the passing years. ..............GDP….. Evaluated I passed away under a star lit sky. No hospital bed for me to lie. ..............Access to Health Care ….. Appraised No questions asked or investigations made. Why I lay in this unmarked grave. ..............Life Expectancy….. Predicted With charts and tables the predictions are done. The battle for identity may never be won. ..............Cost ….. Miscalculated I know I existed in time and place But a paper trail, I left no trace.	CD4 Count 201 Elisa was positive about what she foretold. The diagnosis was more than a cold. Western Blot, not a web site it seems. Confirmed my fears and adds to the screams. As my confusion swells the tears, Memories recall the passing years. Thoughts and dreams are all entwined. As the mystery, I try to unwind. My mothers milk so pure at birth. Wasn't the cause of this hell on earth. Unlike a sweet kiss on sweating skin, The malicious culprit lurks deep within. Body fluids so essential to life, Transport the guilty to cause nothing but strife. My body's protection is under the blade. Medication can only hold back the onset of Aids. The longing for life may never be won. But hope is victorious and the fight will go on. Footnote: CD4 is the name of the cell that helps to protect us. 200 is the CD4 cell count below which you have aids. ELISA is the name of the test for HIV and Western Blot is the test to comfirm ELISA . For More Information Click Here
Call to Action Far away in the comforts of home My thoughts and memories drift and roam I reminisce to friends and kin, of the experiences I hold within. I recount the poverty the children face The injustices metered out to the human race. I demand action, the banner raised The message unheard, the faces glazed. The modern age dictates life's pace. It's hard for my pledge to now embrace. When I was there things were so clear I would right the wrongs, showing no fear. A difference can be made, it's true. But what I need most, is YOU	Donate Today Donate today save a life. Donate today to reduce the strife. Donate today to give us health. Donate today and share the wealth. Donate today to expand our mind. Donate today because you are kind. Donate today for our healthy fare. Donate today because you care. Donate today to improve our abode. Donate today to reduce our load. Donate today before you waver. Donate today and be our saviour. Donate today to improve our lot And forever we will forget you not.
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Thirty Nine Living is hard in this poor land, Sickness and disease are always to hand. Rising early we meet the sun, to toil and labour till our energy is done. Evening comes and gives some respite, beans and porridge to see us thro' the night. A song, a story, a game to play before on barren floor to sleep we lay. We dream, we worry, of how things could be, for our children, relatives and me. It is natural that we all must die, but at thirty-nine - WHY?	My Brother or Me Who will die first - my brother or me, I am four and he is three. They say one in four will not survive, to the ripe old age of five. My mother has gone, my father too, but they made it till they were forty two. My grandmother has lived many lives and by the grace of God still survives. Friends and relatives have all passed away, due to the hardship they endured everyday. With your help the problems we can fix, and not become just another statistics.
How Old are You? I have heard of Christmas, it's a celebration I think. Where friends and family share gifts and drink. A toast to the new and out with the old, is what happens at New Year, so I'm told. Easter, Eid, Hannukah and Diwali have great meaning and reverence for many. Each morning when I awake, a small celebration I do make. Birthdays, no cake or hat, I was born and that was that!	Thank You The gifts you've given are generous indeed, helping we children in desperate need. Your love and favours flow to distant lands, helping to guide our tiny hands. Fortune is not measured in things we hold, but in the potential, love and laughter that your help unfolds. We would like to entertain you with a song or a play and if God is willing this may happen one day. Until we meet a big thank you is what we convey and know that you are in our prayers each and every day.
Malaria The mosquito is such a delicate thing but in the night, how loud it doth sing. Food a plenty for it to feast no matter if it's sleeping child, man or beast. It takes your blood and life force too, your aching joints are just like flu. Money for medicine I have none, in hours or days my life may be gone. My body responds with fever and pain, so at rest I must remain. As my energy drains away, so to God I kneel and pray.	Visitor How we dance, sing and play to welcome you on this special day. We have nothing this is true, But laughter and smiles are thanks to you. About our life you wish to hear. Happiness, sadness and what we fear. The time is short the day is done, We must run before the setting sun. Remember us as you leave this place. by the smiles that adorn your happy face. And as your lives return to normal in our hearts you'll live eternal.
Space The night sky is ablaze with stars. They say man has been to the moon and is going to mars. Billions it cost to get them there. I sit on a mat, not even a chair. They can look back in time and space, to see the origins of the human race. I look round to view my domain, and what I see is almost the same. In cold deep space technology helps them survive, I have three stones and a pot to keep me alive. They say the spin offs to space are many. Electricity, water, food and health I have not any. If they were stranded in that desolate place, then they would understand the hardship we face. Before you go into outer space, please remember the human race.	Bilharzias No babbling brook or rushing stream, and piped water is but a dream. Still water and muddy pools are our lot, safe to drink they are not. Bugs and beasts come each day to share where we wash and play. The water is cool and refreshes the skin, but dangerous snails lurk within. They enter the body without any pain, disease and destruction are their aim. The toilet turns red, the damage is done. To the doctor I must run Death will come if two tablets I don't take to rid the body of this terrible fate. My pockets are empty, I have nothing to sell, death comes slowly in a living hell.
Jigger flea She voyaged from the west, by sail boat and sea. She lurks out of sight just waiting for me. No passport, visa or right of abode, She has travelled along a precarious road. No knock to the door or guest we invite. She sneaks into our homes by day and by night. She lays in wait until we are at rest and enters the body, the feet to infest. She burrows between the toes and under the skin, to enjoy the juice of our body, which flows within. A single black eye, a bump on the skin, Itching, pain and suffering will now begin. She swells with pride, her children to rear, disease and mortality are yours to fear. Do not rub or scratch the infested cyst or the mother to be, inside, will resist. We must extract this invader intact or gas gangrene may impact. . Bacteremias and tetanus are dangers too. Death and destruction may still ensue. The soul is scared, the body abused. We endure all this, for the want of shoes!	School The sun rises on our schoolroom so barren and bare No window, door, desk or chair. The walls aren't adorned with work we have done Paper to write we have none. Ninety eager minds squeezed into this space. Total concentration on each and every face. No pen or copy book to record the session. It's hard to remember everything in this lesson. Education and knowledge is what we seek, Without it, our future is said to be bleak. Poverty and hardship is what we face, It's a privilege to attend this humble place. Thunder and rain bombard the roof, like a thousand wilder beast on the hoof. Our time is cut short the lesson is done. Homeward bound we now must run. Agogo's Tale Grandmother old and frail, Plays out her daily tale. Dawn is greeted with a shivering sky. Cock rejoices with his familiar cry. Thanks to God, our life to hold, As the days events unfold. Ray of warmth pricks the air. Hoe in hand, the soil laid bare. Cleanse with nature's bounty in hand. At the stream, in water to stand. Wisps of smoke dance and rise. Cradle the pot, on earth's hard prize. Smiles and laugher, children to attend, Off to school, their future to befriend. Gleaning the land for water and fuel. Coping with life's constant duel. Friends and neighbours, news to raise. Picking the stones and winnowing the maize. Mortise and pestle the rhythm begun. Breaks the silence of the afternoon sun. Children's laughter returns to the fold. Reducing the burden, stories untold. Pleasure of food passing the lips Silence descends as an unspoken script. Hands together, sprits to lift Thanks to God for his daily gifts. The cock crows out over a cloudless sky. Huddled together in dreams to fly. This poem is dedicated to FOMO Founder You Make Me Forget How lovely you are That you take position of our parents Your love and care make us to Forget and dry up well of tears. I thank God for making you born in Mulanje You are taking care of a lot of souls Which is a great responsibility Making children to forget. Helping does make a difference Your bravery has achieved Indeed you make me forget. By: Gloria Silongw The Key to Sucess Once you take me wisely You will be happy For I'm the key to success Search who I am. I am the one Who has made teachers from cheats And lawyers from liars Take care of me As chicken takes care of it's eggs. I'm the one Who opens the door for ambition Who brings hope to hopeless Who brings light to darkness Make use of me I'm the key to success My name is Education By: Gloria Silongw
Eco House Beaten earth to make a base. Nature’s bounty, nothing to waste. Sun baked bricks, all neat and dried. Make the walls with love and pride. The house is topped with branches and straw. No window, or lock to secure the door. As day dawns, light floods the room. Moon and stars banish the evening gloom. Sounds of life in the air do roam. The eco house is now a home. As the seasons bloom and blow. Signs of wear begin to show. Gods little miracles invade our space Destroying the fabric of the place. I crouch down as the rain sweeps in, and wish this night the roof was tin. Storm Darkening clouds gather in a menacing way. Drawing together at the end of the day. The air is a tingle all vibrant and clear. The leaves a whisper with quivering fear. The air tumbles and swirls increasing in pace. Heralding the progress of this heavenly chase. The onset of rain comes with a burst. Overwhelming the lands insatiable thirst. Blackening skies are thrown apart. As streaks of light pierce its heart. Its breath explodes with deafening applause. Life is frozen in the grip of its jaws. The sky is electric with spears of light. The air roars out as it catches the flight. Time stands still until this turmoil is gone. Stillness returns as the race moves on.
Dear Aunt, I'm very glad because this is first time to write a letter for you in this year. I'm also pleased to communicate with you through this Letter just because what I can write is not what I can talk. The main point of writing this letter is to show love to you as you love us by caring and educating. The only way what we should do in order to please you is just working hard. I will try my best to work extra hard so that next year I should do better in my MSCE exam. Aunt you are our example because you are a courageous person and I always admire what you do. I normally ask God to bless you abundantly and have a long life. Receive these poems. With love Gloria Silongwe Together Helping Does Make a Difference Malawi - Friends of Mulanje Orphans (FOMO)
	Christmas Christmas, a time for family and friends. Food and drink and making amends. Life's hustle and bustle set to pause. As the child within grows and grows. Anticipation, excitement, fear all consume. As the land is blanketed with loves first bloom. Exchanging gifts to show our devotion. Giving thanks to the one who set it in motion. Remembering those far from our touch. Of loved and lost ones we miss so much. A celebration of all we hold dear, Making way for the start of a New Year.