Gather Round Children

• Tashinga Musingarabwe, Grade 11
• Poetry
• 2013

Children, dearest children, gather round
My little ones, gather! I implore you
My dear children be diligent and
Attentive little ones. I wish to share tidings
Your father, children. Do you not know him?
He had that serpentine scar, that stretched
Straight from his shrewd eyes to the corner
Of his wise mouth. And those callous hands
That stroke your gentle little heads to sleep
And flew the plane into your mouths
And fought away those fantastical fiends
Oh children, dearest children
Gather round, children. I bear news
From the docks. He has succumbed to eternal slumber.
But pray children, pray, I beseech you children
Do remember him!