NATASHA'S CHRONICLES : STRONGER FOR A TIME SUCH AS THIS!

Rwanda is our home, Rwandan is what we are and Rwandans are our people. When I reflected on this genocide memorial week, a whirlwind of thoughts flew into my mind. This is where I got the inspiration to write the poem “Stronger for a time such as this” to mean, we as a people are stronger than we even know. I truly hope the unity, strength and hope in these few but meaningful words will impact you too. Yesterday, It all unfolded before our eyesWithin our hills, within our valleys, on our very own groundBetween our people, between our kinsmen,between and within the children of our land! We knew not how to speak or where to even start;Or how to walk, or where to even stand! For we saw no light; since day had turned to night.Absurdity, insanity, animosity ruled, and forever will be wondered upon. But the walls of courage, hope and forgiveness built today make us the pearls of yesterday, lasting forever… And will forever be magnified to shine beyond yesterday’s darkness! Oh! How frustrating the day! How indescribable the pain!How we wish never to have ever seen that day!How we see no reason, none whatsoever, For it to have dawned! But alas! Our ‘nationalist politicians’ had crafted It allIn decades of mass mind poisoningDefined as politics! A sealed fate; Not to leave just a scar but also,A testimony to this world! Not only to leave a story to tell,But also a history to challenge!To remind mankind Of NEVER AGAIN, again! Rwandans my God!Tragedy failed to leave us weak, Only succeded in strengthening us for tomorrow. In mind and in spirit. For all our days to come.Now no trial comes our way, That is beyond our ability to overcome.That’s why we should know,That we are God’s strongest! We were born to our countryOut of no accident, rather a carefully woven plan.Born to this world, out of no mistake at allRather, for a divine purpose… Yes! Born as a family, as a nation, as one not two!For a testimony to all peoples,To be a voice for our land…A book for all nations,To read two stories;Disaster from disunityAnd strength from unity! The author is a student at Riviera High School hozatash@yahoo.com Ends