This Mother and That Mother

JOSIE'S POEMS

Reflective/Discussion Poems

By Josie Whitehead

THIS mother watches her children
Playing in the sunshine in their garden.

THAT mother watches her children,
As they play barefoot in the African dust.

THIS mother prepares organic food
To tantalise the taste buds of her family.

THAT mother wonders if there will
Be enough mealie-meal on which to survive.

THIS mother hears the laughter of her children
As they play in a garden full of toys.

THAT mother hears only the cries of her baby
As it cries hopelessly for milk.

THIS mother feels the quality of the
Designer tee-shirt she irons.

THAT mother feels the bones of her
Children desperate for food.

THIS mother smells the aroma of fresh
Bread baking in her oven.

THAT mother smells only the stench of death
That permeates all around her
As one by one babies die.

THIS mother’s son asks:
'Mum, what is social justice?'

THAT mother's son replies:

'IT IS LOVING YOUR NEIGHBOUR AS YOURSELF'

and your 'neighbour' is everyone else who

shares this world with you.

Copyright on all my poems