Aluta Continua

We did not

Have a lot

But

We had

Dignity and respect

Limited choices

Taking

Maximum effect

We did not

Know too much

But

We had

An eagerness to learn

Limitless voices

Taking us

Beyond barbed fences

We did not

See an end

But

We battled

Everyday a new beginning

Risking freedom

Taking

No prisoners

We did not

Give up

But

Managed to stay true

Tears will always be stinging

Laughter always simple abundance bringing

Taking

Nothing as automatically given

By Simone Beatrice Naik Noemdoe, 2013-02-05.

Poverty's Memory Speaks

Poverty’s dialogue

Always rewritten

Sleeping on the floor

Uninvited guests

Wait behind the door

There will never be more

A situation insecure

Politically cool

Less is more

Poverty’s conversations

Always replayed

Too proud to ask

Self-invited guests

Feed at the trough

A situation grotesque

Socially spooled

More is never less

Poverty’s talk

Always relayed

Quietly prayed

Banished visitors

Seldom leave in haste

Achievement

Seeks voices chaste

Development seeks more action less talk

By Simone Beatrice Naik Noemdoe, 2013-02-23.

Sweet Memories

Forever trapped

Nineteen

In your shorts

Black and white

Mountain ravines

The only shadow

Our lives

Was never

Shallow

Forever trapped

Decades later

In my mind

In technicolour

Trails steep

Shades leeched

Our history

We never (be)

Shallow

By Simone Beatrice Naik Noemdoe, 2013-01-12.

Midnight Prayer

Dear God

Give me courage to be brave

To travel in this universe

Like the earth

Steadfast in its orbit

Warm like the morning sun slowly burning away the dew

Passing beyond awkward moments

Washing away shame

Banishing hurtful words

Splattered with pride and false conceit

Dear Universe

Give me strength to stay focused.

To travel on this earth like the millions of stars in the milky way

Cool like the midwinter moon

A sliver in the sky

Catching the crystal edges of every drop frozen in the moment exposed

To live you have to breathe

To see you have to blink

Every action instinctively driven

Finality we wish to retrieve

Dear Soul

Give me an opportunity

To be humble

Always there is a chance

To tripe and stumble

The mind will constantly deliver a conscientious rumble

In articulating pain we seldom falter

Laughter gradually leaves special moments forever altered

Expressions shallow and deep

One way to solitary company keep

By Simone Beatrice Naik Noemdoe, 2013-01-12.