The Wounds Bleed Still Poem by Moto Wamwanga

''Would you forgive them and forget
Or would you only forgive or
Would you only forget or just get
Over your eternal sore? ''

Everywhere I go they usually ask
Me the same question,
Even where I work. This is a task
Which soaks emotion

And nostalgia in my heart, and pain
In my organs. Do they know
What forgiveness is again?
Did they say sorry to heal our sorrow?

Do they know that what they did
Was evil, wrong and cruel?
Do they know that we're intrepid
Despite their infernal

Acts and nature? Do they know that
Forgiveness is a complementary
Act to the gesture called sorry?
Do they know that even our dog, cat...

Would never forgive, forget before
They get asked sorry or
Their predators apologise?
Do they really think that I emphasise

This matter 'cause I'm crazy or fool?
Don't they feel the pain I'm undergoing
And all the sacrifices I am doing?
I am unforgivably and madly full

Of these interrogation. Why, oh God,
Are they not asked how
They feel, after all these good
Years of silence, looking, you know,

Into our eyes without saying sorry?
They don't care of our worry.
It's only Australia that had done
Well, the whole world has been gone

Respectfully crazy of joy and proud.
Every corner has seen, on the sky,
On seas, oceans, air, everywhere fly
Balloons written on them; said loud

''Sorry! ! Sorry! ! We really humiliated
You! ! Used you and even assassinated
You! ! '' Don't you think, dear brothers,
Sisters, fathers and mothers,

Forgiving and forgetting way
Before they accept their calamity,
Cruel slaughters, their impunity;
Apologise and stop their everyday

Semblances, would vigorously attest
How dumb we are, would deride
Our ancestors' cause and pride,
Who impounded freedom from the pest.