I'm Just Sayin'

As most of you know, I recently got back from a trip to Togo. I’m still sorting through thoughts, and still posting blogs related to the trip. To read all of my Togo entries, click here.

How do you describe something for which there are no words? I’m frustrated because I can’t make you understand what the Grande Marche is like.

Madam, madam.
Over and over, I hear their shouts.
Do you need a dress? A belt?
Just a few dollars, and this mango is yours.
Why do you shake your head at us, madam?

Madam, madam.
Hands, hands, all around me.
Gentle hands help me across a ditch.
Rough hands pull me out of the street.
Be careful, madam.

Madam, madam.
The smells, so many smells.
Dead chickens swarming with flies.
Sweat and rot and dirt and fear.
Why are you so pale, madam?

Madam, madam.
Why do you close your eyes?
Why do you cover your face?
Why do you leave us so quickly?
Where are you going, madam?

This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 26th, 2009 at 1:01 pm and is filed under Compassion, Togo. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.