Africa's Sahel

A boy stands alone,
under the stinging heat,
hungry and thirsty.
Everywhere
he sees animals
lying over each other,
teary eyes, stunned
by the scale of death
laid out before him.
Even the sky
seems to look on
with disbelief.
Countless flies
move over the carcasses,
raising great grey clouds
before settling again.
Visions of his mother
continue,
float.
He is nearly certain
she isn’t dead,
wished he didn’t have
to witness
death.

With only his mother
for company,
he waits.

© Amy Barry

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Amy Barry writes poems and short stories. She has worked in the media industry as a Public Relations officer. Her poems have been published in anthologies, journals, and e-zines, in Ireland and abroad. Trips to India, Nepal, China, Bali, Paris, Berlin, have all inspired her work. She lives in Athlone, Ireland.

Timbuktu

It will not do
The destruction
of ancient books
in Timbuktu

These were not new
or modern works
Lies of the west
Things to eschew

Vengeful adieu
Burning their own
texts and Korans
All that is true

And we've no clue
but hope to find
for culture’s sake
fate spared a few

You’ve come in view
Oh end of Earth
Like other spots
we never knew

A strange milieu
What irony
The savior’s come
Red white and blue

But wrecking crew
Will they return
when legions leave
to follow through?

© E. R. Olsen

Ancient Manuscripts In Timbuktu Reduced To Ashes


E. R. Olsen writes poetry and practices law in Nevada, where he lives with his wife and four children.  His poems have appeared  in various U.S. magazines and journals, and will be included in the upcoming issue of Naugatuck River Review.