Deadly water

DEADLY WATER

Water was very cold, mother!

When we fell into the river.

You know how bad do I feel 

when you take me for a bath;

I shivered for a while 

and then I felt numb,

I froze to my last breath 

in the freezing water;

I tried to hold my breath 

Like I do when you pour water on me,

But it didn’t work this time!

I tried to save my books, mother!

Expensive books and my school bag, 

dad bought yesterday for me

with small savings he had made;

But it was too heavy, 

it pulled me down along

Till I sank with the soaked pages 

I would read in the school 

to become an engineer,

And make a bridge 

For my school across the river!

It was morning prayer time, mother!

You prayed for my long life 

and cooked food for me;

You kissed my forehead 

and pulled me from the bed;

Fed me with your sweet hands

and dressed me up, a last time,

for the school or angel of death;

You combed my hair, kissed my cheeks

and looked into my eyes, a last time,

For I had to go for ever, far away from you!