What's that dirty mark on the carpet in front of the TV, Mom? <br />That's just a shadow from tne screen, dear. <br /> <br />I feel sick, Mom, I must've eaten something nasty? <br />I expect it's that film, dear..shall we turn it off? <br /> <br />Is that a boy or girl baby crying, Mom? <br />Didn't notice dear, why, does it matter? <br />What's that group of men just off-screen, Dad? <br />They're just interested in the film. <br />Then why aren't they with the Moms, helping? <br />They may not be the fathers, dear. <br />(She's too young yet, to know about child-rape, honey, <br />though I guess we'll have to tell her sometime...) <br /> <br />Then where are their real Dads? <br />I expect they're dead, dear. <br />Dad you won't die will you, promise? <br />I hope not, darling, I'll try not to... <br /> <br />Why are they so hungry, Dad, when the TV can go there? <br />Their country's in a mess, dear. <br />But they always used to have enough to eat, <br />otherwise they wouldn't have dads and moms themselves? <br />It's a long and sad story, darling, I'm not sure <br />that I can explain it to you. I wish I knew the answer. <br /> <br />Will those flies on the babies' eyes come off the screen, come here? <br />No darling, it's Africa. <br />Don't they hurt? Why don't their Dads brush them off <br />instead of just standing there? <br />I expect they're used to them in Africa, dear.. <br />shall we turn the TV off? <br />No I want to watch, I want to help them. <br />That's very good of you, darling, maybe <br />when you're grown up? It may be better then. <br /> <br />What will make it better, Dad?<br /><br />Michael Shepherd<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/0007-african-child/
