Testimony of a Ugandan Child

The following poem was written after watching "The Thing That Happened," a documentary that talks about the power of education and also the stories of several children who had been abducted to the LRA, headed by Joseph Kony. The documentary, and specifically the words of the children who had been abducted in their younger years, touched me and I wanted to write a poem in their voice, using their words. And then my poetry teacher told us all that we had to write a Villanelle and I thought Yes, this is the best form to tell this story. Hence the following poem, largely filled by words not my own.

Testimony of an Abducted Ugandan Child, Six Years After Returning

            – inspired by the documentary “The Thing That Happened.”

This is my story. It’s difficult a bit to say.

This is the photo. I was a very young thing.

What am I worth? They kill you. Definitely.

They took my grandparents and brothers away

and up to now they are not there. Hear them sing:

this is my story. It’s difficult a bit to say.

On their way coming back they shoot them on the way.

They gave me a gun like this when I was crying.

What am I worth? They kill you. Definitely.

If you want to eat, you need to fight each day.

Like me now, even me I fear them coming.

This is my story. It’s difficult a bit to say.

If they have ordered that you should shoot, pray.

The gun was to fall down when they were seeing

what I am worth. They kill you. Definitely.

Two and half years. It was hard for me to stay.

They lied; said I could not do anything,

but this is my story. It’s difficult a bit to say

what I am worth. They kill you. Definitely.