Cultivating Contempt
Crimson dust carpets the back of the countryside
Ugandan hills, only witness to “the loss of a brother”
Pain blooms from beds of weeds
That disperse across inherited land.
Grafted shoots of contempt
from “your father’s right hand, your Uncle”
Micah 6:7
Uncle blinded by jealousy, self righteousness
Sowing seeds of dissent among extended family
False claims and failed grabs of
Family land, overrun by mistrust.
Confusion by the bushel distributed.
Vines of lies strangle family
“A man’s enemies are the men of his house”
Time has tilled the land, fraught with tension
Uncle Joe -- his voice heard; no answer --
Took his small smear of african dirt.
With anger of Esau, he withdrew
Leaving behind a story of loss
Brotherhood died during time of mourning
Resolve turned the ashes in the dust
New seeds sown, plans laid out
We moved on, but did you Uncle Joe?
Will you attack our progress with
Scythe and hoe? Did you ever let go?
Questions and doubts hibernate underground.
What will tomorrow unearth as the sun plows overhead?
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