Malawi Poem by Emmanuel Arunee Mwanza

May I start introducing myself…am Malawi
Those who love me call me the warm heart of Africa
I don’t mind being called so
As it is the beauty in me that mesmerizes people to compare me as such
Somehow I cast a spell of attraction to me on all who visit me and born in me

Despite my beauty
Not looking at how much I try to take care of both natives and visitors
Something is still not adding up
My people are still leaving in a war zone though no military weapons are used
I see it that my people are fighting poverty, hunger, jealousy
My people are perplexed at the ever increasing trouble they are facing
As I quietly watch, shame takes over me, as I realize my beauty is not of any help now
Oh! My people how do I help you?

Look at those people living in partially finished homes
I can’t sleep without a dream haunting me…as hungry people cry for help
Just walk in the streets and see little kids trying to make ends meet
And then enter the offices, see how even the work class suffer at the high prices of goods
Everything has skyrocketed; food, even clothes but my people still stand as those of yesterday

I see the hope in the people
Staring at their mother for food and yet it is not there, my children have hope
Don’t worry is all that I can say to all of them
A day is coming and my beauty will help, my people will fight hunger, poverty, jealousy no more