First Day

Posted bywriterravenclawPosted inPoems and short stories

Written for https://lifeafter50forwomen.com/category/what-do-you-see/

It was a brilliant first day.

I opened my book; letters flowing off the page similar to drinking water. Learning to read, and I promised Iso Kulli, I would share the knowledge. She never had the chance to learn.

When she was seventeen, she was pregnant with me.

She hopes I can do better.

Nothing tasted sweeter on my tongue than writing my name. Aamina. It means safe; Aabe named me, said I am protected by Allah. I understand my role model often goes without helping me to be strong enough to stride the two miles it takes to reach my educational institution.

The morning sun, warming my shoulders, makes my heart somewhat lighter. A duteous dawn, I am lucky to be me. Time passes by in a blur of blue. A cloudless sky full of potential change.

I hope to be a doctor; seeing my beautiful sister, Farah, barely skin and bone, lying in the hospital bed. Tiny arms. She lacked the strength to live. I remember cuddling her, promising Allah would reunite her; never be alone again.

She sits beside me now, keeping my back straight and proud as each lift of my pencil is in tribute to the joy in my soul.

Carefully, I put my paper into my heavy bag.

I will teach Iso Kullo, the letters I have learnt today.

She works hard for me; I love her more than heaven itself.

Aabe – Dad

Iso Kulli – Mum

Published by writerravenclaw

I am a fifty something mother of two grown up children, and one beautiful grandchild. I have been married for nearly thirty-four years. My first book was published ten years ago. I wrote my book Sticks and Stones because of my experience of being bullied at school.

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