The following poem was written as part of a poetry-writing event at Spurgeons Academy, to mark World Poetry Day
The Drought
By Olivia
The sun’s about to set, it’s getting dark
A cold wind sweeps across the empty land
This used to be the time for telling stories
But no-one feels like telling stories now
A thin goat cries for food, but no one hears
A child stands up and pulls his mother’s hands
She looks at him, her eyes filled with tears
Two men are speaking quietly near the hut
‘I am sure our ancestors are doing this’
The old man says. His friend agrees. He nods
And goes away. The long, cold night begins
The morning comes. The old man leaves his heart
And walks along the path towards his farm
He faces east and sees the cruel sun
His eyes explore the sky, he shakes his head
A dry wind blows and fills his eyes with dust
He looked around the seas