12.06.2009 Poem by Adorn Keketso

It peeled her skin
entered the pores
defiled her blood
oppressed her soul
and destroyed her
body beyond recognition

slowly, painfully slow!
it devoured her soul
rip her flesh
butchered her conscious
I watched her die
as she waved goodbye
I saw a flood of tears
escaping from the corners of her dark
exhausted eyes
from crying the whole night
I gave her painkillers
but what good will free drugs do her
she just held back her tears
to seem strong
I realised that pretence is the sign of bravery
alopecia left a wisp of hair on her burnt skull
asphyxiation caused catatonia
inferno burnt in her flesh
pains danced rhythmically in her soul
to persecute her life
every moment was filled with pains
both physical and emotional
it's like a punishment to die painfully slowly
while praying every night for your soul to be saved
praying for your own death
to ease the pains from the flesh
it's a punishment to witness the one's you love die! ! !

her body incubated carcinoma, lymphoma, and melanoma.

Chemotherapy and radiotherapy couldn't stop the carcinogen
her deformed breasts where decaying slowly like a burning cigarette stub!

And finally,
her soul grew wings
I realised that life
come once on earth
but a life well-lived
once is enough
hers’ was too short
and too quick like the sound of a striking match stick.