madaraja (bridges)

in Uganda we build
madaraja. swollen rivers
to cross, bellies to fill.
ugali porridge
of peasants who need chakula
to survive, shulas to learn in
olass about freedom not
fear of shauri from
shifta with guns.
matutus speed alongside
in jua kali as
fair skin burns, a crisp
shell ready to molt.
"Wewe, muzungu, white man."
I plead with them,
"Mimi vijana, I am not old."
"Wewe, muzungu."
I don't want to die,
shitake kufu, please."
we carry Uganda--
schools, food, books,
build bridges. they don't
want to die.

Linda Buskey LeBlanc