Gone
Where do I go when I am not here.
I am in the shallow leafy glen near the lake.
digging
digging
digging to the heart of the earth
digging through the dirt and worms and weeds.
These will go into my potion for later,
a potion for magic and health and power.
My potion will give me power till mama lets me go to church for God bread.
I am Pippi Longstocking.
My taata is away and I must be strong and powerful.
When my potion is done, I will lift a house, and a horse, and a puppy, all at once because I am power.
People congregate to observe Timkat. Lalibela, Ethiopia. ©Eyerusalem Jiregna
A young girl milks a cow. Juba, South Sudan. ©Jessica Nabongo