Tears on a blood moon

Slowly but with a lot of pain she turned to face my way
I moved close, knelt beside the bed, held her hand and waited to hear what she wanted to say
“Eddie, my son,”  with a low voice she called “how was school today?”
Cool, Mama. Everything was okay. I chewed all the books in class then went to the field to play
I could still see traces of pain in her eyes as she tried to smile at me
She tried so hard to hide it. For her suffering she didn’t want me to see
Despite her effort, tears in her eyes began to flow
Tears of sorrow, grief, regrets and woe
I then asked her, “what is wrong Mama? Why are you crying?”
As much as i tried not to think about it, but the truth was that she was dying
“I’m alright son. I love you and I’m so proud of you” said she
“Just happy to see the kind of man you are turning out to be”
“I love you too Mama. All this is because of you”
“You are my morning star that smiles in the blue”
“Can you get me a glass of water. I’m Feeling thirsty” “hurry” she added.
“here you go Mama. At room temperature just like you like it”
Mama, here is your water. Mama?! Mama wake up.
Wake up Mama. Mama!!!
I lean close to listening if she was still breathing
Mama, wake up Mama. I need you Mama.
I listened to her chest if her heart was still beating
....
I guess she never wanted me to watch her loose the fight
That was her nature. Even when things went haywire
She always found a way to make me think all was alright
For me, she would throw her self on the line of fire
My tears on a blood moon, gone too soon
I sit by the window, with a gloomy voice i croon
I look to heavens and ask God why?
Why her? why not me? why all the grey in the sky
I…I never had a chance to say goodbye
Through the moonlight and the sunlight all i do is cry
Too much pain for my heart to bear. I'd rather die
Come meet me Mama. Come say Hi


- Edwin Onyango
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