Don't Shed Tears Mother. | Ronald Bandawo

My sincere apologies mother, i never knew that things would end in this way.
I therefore beseech you not to rain tears for me.
For the ink i am using are my tears already.
Destiny created me to be a sodier, which brought sorrow unto you.
I am not a saviour to save , but a servant to serve.
I am on the frontline, bullets are hovering to and fro as restless wind seeking to enter my body.
One bullet is already sinking in my left shoulder.

The earth is already drinking my blood as it fertilisers it's infertility .
The ink that darkens this writing are my tears, the book i am using is the sand.
My concern is seeing rain falling from your eyes.
Do not allow sorrow to enslave you on my account.
A sodier's life is a violent journey with a peaceful destination.

I plead unto you, do not wait up today nor should you expect a knock on the door.
Do not prepare my favourite meal , because my chair shall be vacant.
Though i do wish to taste your tempting cooking once again.
Do not let my food get cold, because the eater has been eaten by war.
Do not bid me a good night kiss because death has bid me a goodbye kiss.

Do me one more favour, forget you had a son.
Lest sorrow and wistfullness enslaves you.
But if sorrow does hold you, free yourself with the old aged faint memories of me.
Do not drench my grave with your tears because i cannot bare to see pain in your eyes.
My blood has already drenched the earth so no need for your tears to drench it further.

Now l shall only speak silence, because the clock has beckoned my soul to the heavens.
I will always love you mother.
I will always love you.
Goodbye......

Poet's note: This poem is about a young man who became a sodier. His mother who was a widow, she warned him that he may lose his life.He convinced her that he has to serve and protect his country including his own mother. She gave him her blessing and he left only to be cursed by a "blessing".He later died in battle, his mother was greatly grieved. Knowing this might happen he wrote a poem before his death and that poem was "DON'T SHED TEARS MOTHER " , he warns he in advance to prepare herself for the worst. I wrote this poem 3 days ago. I wrote this poem for a late friend of mine who lost his life in war. He left behind his dear mother. I wanted to express the emotions of sadness, sorrow, grieve and hope. This poem means a lot to me. It makes me appreciate all the brave sodiers who are at war living their family behind.