A Gambian Experience

Cherry

By Silver Spun Sand

Sat, 11 Oct 2014
  • 9186 reads
15 comments
 
“Right!” I announce, full of gusto, to a sea
of wide-eyed faces.  Bare feet scuffing 
scrubby ground as they vie to bag a desk
such as they are; 
 
nothing more than upturned tea-chests,
but they serve their purpose...a scramble
for pencils as I hand them out, each
to each , they covet as if pure gold.
 
“Good morning, boys and girls! 
It’s good to meet you.  Right now
I feel like Deborah Kerr in the King
and I, but that’s another story.
 
Miss Parker’s what I’m called,
but how about you? Draw a sketch
of yourselves – names beneath,
and I’ll do my best to learn them.”
 
Crayons hover in mid-air like bees 
over ox-eyed daisies...hands frantically
scratch heads, all except for  one
that seeks my attention.
 
“Miss, I’ve finished, but it’s
not as simple as it sounds... Easier
by far if we draw each other,
if that’s OK?” asks one little dot.
 
The penny drops.  “I understand,
I say, rummage in my bag for a while.
 
 “Maisha. Have I said it correctly?
Come closer. I don’t bite –  well, not often, 
and I’ve something  to show you.” 
 
Maisha giggles as I ruffle her hair, smiles 
from ear to ear,  like the sun coming up, 
as if she’d never before seen her own reflection. 
“Is that how I really look?
 
It works better than the river, Miss...Clear as day;
no ripples. Say, Miss, may I keep it? Swap 
your mirror for a biro?” 
 
It made me think about those small things
in life we take for granted...like being given 
time to be a child, and even if that child’s a girl, 
having the right to go to school.
Certificate U
Poem
Silver Spun Sand Stories
Biography
Inspiration Point (work that responds to our weekly writing cue)

Comments

Submitted by Insertponceyfre... on

very good use of the inspiration point Tina - is this from a real experience?

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Yes it is, insert...that of my late daughter.  She was on a teaching exchange visit whilst working for the University of Hertfordshire. 

On her return she captivated me with this story, and we are blessed with a video she gave us of many more of her Gambian experiences.

By the way, when she left them, they gave her a 'bongo drum' as a special thank you...need I say more;-)

Many thanks for your interest.

Tina

 

 

 

 

 

Submitted by scratch on

Love this.

 

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Ta, scratch. More than appreicated.

Tina

 

Submitted by Mark Heathcote on

I loved the whole poem, but the bit with the crayons was real good. I thought that there might be even a good haiku in those lines. Nice one!

Mark Heathcote

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Mark - thanks; for all this one, little word means, and moresmiley...  

Your thoughts - inspired.  I hadn't looked upon that stanza along those lines, but I do believe there may indeed be potential there.

Tina

 

Submitted by Bee on

Lovely.

Bee

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, Beesmiley

Tina

 

Submitted by luigi_pagano on

A good uplifting anecdote, Tina, well written.

Love, Luigi xxx

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Thanks, so  much Luigi.  Always lifts my heart to hear from you.  

Love, 

Tina xxx

 

Submitted by Rhiannonw on

Lovely experience for her and you, in hearing. Such a pleasure in little things we take for granted, and appreciation of being able to go to school, and of teachers! Rhiannon

 

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Indeed, Rhiannon, on all counts.  

Tina

 

Submitted by prettyrose on

Tina, well doneyes.I hope your well.smiley.This captivated me from the first word, not only because I always know when I click on your work to read, it will be a interesting and excellent piece of writing.But because you put your heart and soul in to every word.

yes we often take many things for granted,sadly,and until we lose/or suffer, we can never understand how really lucky/fortunate we aresmiley.

I am sure your daughter would be more than pleased with how you have delivered this beautiful poem,a testament I am sure to your daughters intelligence and caring nature.

 

brilliantsmiley. I hope your well.

smiley Keep Smiling

Keep Writing xxx

Submitted by Silver Spun Sand on

Prettyrose,  can't thank you enough for your words, and I'm fine, thank you...all the better from hearing from you in such a delightful waysmiley

Tina 

 

Submitted by prettyrose on

smileyGlad your well Tina&that was so lovely of you to say, I always enjoy hearing from you also.

 

This is defiante one of my favourites of all time :))))))

 

Take care

smiley Keep Smiling

Keep Writing xxx