Neema's child

Young mother, burdened by sorrows,

running from a past of brutal armed men

destroyers of family, home and all that was.

Wee child, your only haven was your mother's arms,

your heavenward flight from constant hunger

adding another burden to your mama's heart.

Aah child, I cry for you, and your mother,

and feel that we have failed you.

That we could have done more,

anything to bring you sooner to this promised land.

Tiny girl you know no fear, you feel no hunger:

you are in the Promised Land.

Tiny Mukandekezi, a year and a half old

died from malnutrition in a refugee camp.

The paperwork to bring her and her mother and brother here

in a stack of applications at the immigration office.

Another sad story among the millions.