Star Gazer

A clear starlit night in the Congo,
She walked along the perimeter fence,
picking up sticks.
Wood was needed
for the cooking pot.

She heard their voices

too late to run.
She gazed at the stars
as they held her down
and her mind flew free.

They walked off laughing and joking,

she lay in the mud looking at the dog star
and the rising moon
wondering where she was.

Her mother said

‘Why were you so long
and where’s the wood for the fire?’

She looked at her empty hands
and up at the sky, as her mother’s slap
brought stars to her eyes.