PARTITION
A Government official drew a line on
a map and overnight we became aliens in our own country. Old enmities rose like
vomit – neighbours took our homes and land.
Driven by soldiers and by fear, we
walked for weeks, carrying our young and old, until we reached this place. At
first we were glad to rest, but the shelter was an illusion. Crammed in like
market animals, fighting for space and food, the noise and stink were indescribable.
Then disease came – weakened by
starvation, many died, and our prison oozed despair.
The day I buried my babies, even the
trees wept.
.....................................................................
The plight of refugees in many parts of the world is close to my thoughts while we prepare for a peaceful family Christmas here, so Dale Rogerson's photo prompted me to write this story for Friday Fictioneers, hosted my the lovely Rochelle on her blog https://rochellewisoff.com/
My book A Volcanic Race, which is for sale now on Amazon, is also available to borrow from the town library in Ingersoll, Ontario, which is some consolation in view of my failure to get a copy - or even a leaflet - into my local library. I would also be delighted if some of you FFers bought a copy of your own and posted a review :)
