Miserable Daughter of Upper Nile

By Wenne Madyt Dengs, Bor, South Sudan

–

I am a daughter

Born of bullets

In the nightmares of tribalism

Bringing cannibalism

–

I am an emaciated girl

With my deaf mother

She is numbed by blood

As bullets sprayed on her

–

My pride is kidnapped

My hope is shuttered

I am a daughter without a chance to grow

Worries kill me everyday

I am a daughter;

Uncertain about tomorrow

I die in silence everyday

–

I am a daughter

Like I have nothing

I’ll be positive

For I am your wealth

But only when your blood clots

–

I am a daughter

That doesn’t know her beauty

Upper Nile,

You’re my own mother

Why have you forsaken me?

Death stands at my doorpost

I see humanity at stake

Why Upper Nile my mother

–

Upper Nile,

There is no love

There is no unity

You inhale famine

And exhale your wealth

Why Upper Nile my mother?

–

Upper Nile,

It is news of rapping

I am eaten up by my brothers

Incest!

Every day it is news of my father

He’s killed!

Every day I pick lifeless child

Died of hunger!

–

Upper Nile

In Bentiu

My pride is scrambled

In Malakal

I am a point of despair

In Bor

Tribalism beats me up

Why Upper Nile my mother?

–

Upper Nile,

When my womanhood ripens

It’s torn by the wolves

I am either defiled or rapped

It’s maturity in immorality

You need me decayed

My Upper Nile my mother

–

Upper Nile,

I walk in Jungle

When I am in Jonglei

I walk in mud

When I am in Malakal

I lost my beauty

When I am in Bentiu

–

There is an epitaph

In every homestead

It bears children names

I am sending this message to you

Wake up, your daughter has become a duster

–

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PaanLuel Wël

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PaanLuel Wël is the founder and editor-in-chief of PaanLuel Wël Media Ltd, a news website that covers news, opinions, analysis, history, culture and literature of South Sudan and the world. Founded in July 2011 by PaanLuel Wël to create a platform for free expression and constructive dialogue, the website features articles from various contributors, including columnists, commentators, poets, authors, activists and academics. PaanLuel Wël believes that media can play a vital role in informing, educating and empowering the people to participate in nation-building and social transformation. He also believes that media can foster a culture of dialogue, tolerance and diversity among different communities and groups, and hopes to inspire and mentor the next generation of South Sudanese writers and journalists.

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