In the mirror of a water bucket I see:
A blur of color
children with bright hearts
flames cannot douse courage
little girls pump, pump, pump
feet steadily move up the hill
“more water”
little heads bear yellow water jugs
school books brown edged
blue chairs too hot to touch
ashen are next day’s reflections
parents anxious to know education’s fate
stories told, songs we sang, things we made
in the mirror of my heart
stout hearts of orphans
smiles contagious
over flow of son’s rays of love
*
Fire rages fierce
days merge breeze takes them away
color filled smiles
Today’s prompt at Poet’s United is “Mirror.”
penned in moon dust 
An interesting story in these lines.
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Lovely
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“flames cannot douse courage”……those lines hit home, as does the vision of those feet continuing to walk for water, to school, towards all the things a child needs that is so difficult to come by for those orphaned by war or circumstance. Yet their smiles shine brighter than the sun.
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ARE difficult to come by……
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Your words are beautiful. Somehow they are sad and joyous simultaneously. Thank you for them and the pictures. This post touched my heart.
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Beautiful as the beautiful reflections of those smiling faces…bkm
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Sad truths, yet unbounded enthusiasm of children, smiles and sunshine.
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Your experience is an experience I wish I had, my friend. Good write. I love the photos you’ve included here, showing them in all their glory and beauty. 🙂
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Huge issues contained in this one smallish poem! You have mastered the art of ‘showing, not telling’.
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This wonderful Leslie. I’m immersed in the multi-hued reflection in the mirror of your heart bringing a smile to many in spite of hard days….
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This is
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A most heart-stirring write, Leslie ❤️especially love; “in the mirror of my heart stout hearts of orphans smiles contagious over flow of son’s rays of love.” Beautifully penned❤️
Lots of love,
Sanaa
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I like your poem, Leslie. 🙂
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Ah, in Uganda, children’s rights remain the object of an unrelenting assault; the conditions of their existence and survival precarious at best…but, after reading this beautiful poem, their world is awash in starlight! Let’s spin new dreams, Leslie! Love it! 🙂
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Ah, for some life is really hard…..your poem speaks loudly!
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A amazing poem. Your words positive and true. Every child is part of our world. I agree. A child smile can bring some happiness to us.
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Reblogged this on johncoyote and commented:
Please read this amazing poem and pass it on.
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Thanks for writing and sharing this. My wife and I have adopted 5 children from Uganda, and that country has a special place in our hearts. You did an excellent job of capturing the heart of a very common scene. Thank you.
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Wow. This is one of your best, if I may say so. Put me right there on the dusty path to the pump, the schoolhut, the home….
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Reblogged this on Ned Hamson's Second Line View of the News.
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Welcome to that little voice and thank you for following my blog. Eager to read more of your poetry.
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Reblogged this on By the Mighty Mumford and commented:
SO GOOD!
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