Twelve Poem by Gideon Arthur

The air was sweet
From the hazy aroma
But I was hauled on a stormy time
Riding to face where the bridge ends
Yes it was that night
That Malaria ceased my might
I was twelve

Fire was kindled in my blood
And raced towards all my skin
Sweats from evaporated blood wets my sheets
And muscle movements walked on my whole body in rhythm of vibrations
As I lied on my bed sorry for myself
I was twelve

I could hear booms from mother's heart
And weird sounds from her fear that from this life I will depart
Confusion controlled her steps
But was jerked to the road by love to search for a healer
I lied there and waited for my genie who will grant me my healing wish
I was twelve

It runned through my nose, ears and mouth
The medication was vegetably hot
Which literlally burned my guts
I began to smell hope from successive drinks
And mother's heart pumped less speedily
I was twelve

The air was dry
Humid has given away its strength
When I went to mum to help on the farm
My first day that year
I knew somehow my bridge has been elongated
And I was travelling slowly
I was twelve
When mosquitoes tasted my blood no more.