Poetry

CC photo

By

Antonella Corradetti

The Witch

Inspired by Zura Karuhimbi

I saw the darkness in a man’s heart

my eyes witnessed violence, hate in machete blows.

Hutus and Tutsis

same flesh, turning against each other.

I gave hope where there was none,

fear soaked faces, who was going to be next?

I stood still and firm against menacing threats,

death sat next to me and watched.

People called me a witch,

my only weapon was calling the spirits and shaking my bracelets

Tutsi rebels feared my cursed magical spells.

I put my life on the line to save lives.

I lost my own blood to genocide,

I learned the value of people,

I saw the violence in them, corpses mutilated.

I am dead now and I hope my actions would one day reflect on the world.

Repeat history no more.

Love Trap

Beat up by the hands of love,

a stolen life turned hell,

the impossible was laid at your feet.

Servant to your temper,

your rage, unstoppable,

a mind sunk into furious madness.

Wore a coat of normality,

my scars hidden, fearful silence,

emotions crawled on in thin air.

A man’s story, the abuser I was not,

a victim, a property in my own house.

Isolated and tortured,

my life was not mine to live,

your controlling mind, frenzy attacks bent my will,

I felt human no more.

Worth a smack on my face,

vicious thirst took pleasure in my sufferings.

My silence broke out,

a confession saved my life,

I survived a sick love,

I survived you,

I think of you no more, darling

no more.

Antonella Corradetti