Under African Skies

  •   Tue, Dec 10 2019
  •   By Anita Britto, Auckland

December 10, 2019

Under African Skies

I stand today calm and strong at this very spot
Where my mother stood years ago – worried and distraught
Driving after curfew hours – and at breakneck speed
Stopped by soldiers on the way who saw her infant bleed


Speaking in Swahili – in her blood-stained clothes
Men armed with guns – twice her size – stood there comatose
“I have to reach the Doctor or my baby’s going to die”
Each word of hers drenched in blood they heard a mothers cry


She didn’t wait for answers but jumped into her car
Accelerating faster than a stunt car movie star
One hand on the steering wheel; the other on her child
Maternal love and nerves of steel somehow had reconciled


The Moon and Stars conspired in the still of the night
With a mother so determined – who wouldn’t give into fright
She whispered to her daughter and begged her not to go
How she mustered courage – I guess I’ll never know


I’m going to take you back in time to 1971
Obote’s reign had ended; Amin’s had just begun
What followed was an orgy of carnage and bloodshed
An appalling reign of terror – with 500,000 dead


The pearl of Africa was numb and smouldering in rage
For a brutal lunatic was armed to take the centre stage
70,000 Asians had 90 days to leave!!!!!
A land they loved and called their home – they were too shocked to grieve


The butcher of Uganda was ruthless and insane
Sadistic acts of horror – cruel and inhumane
I can’t forget the chilling screams despite the years gone by
The disused torture chambers reek of tales to testify


Choking back my tears I see my parents trying their best
To make sense of this madness in a nation that was blessed
I stand here at this very spot – under Ugandan skies
And see a land that’s healed and once more regained Paradise

 

Anita Britto Archives:

 

 

 
By Anita Britto, Auckland
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Comment on this article

  • Joe Britto, Bangalore

    Sun, Dec 15 2019

    Very well narrated Anita.

    We clearly remember those troubled times as if it happened yesterday.

    Sadly even in the present century the world is full of leadership which is pulling away from democratic norms . The bloodshed continues and many nations are bleeding even as we read this.

  • Dan M, Dubai / Mangalore

    Wed, Dec 11 2019

    Jesus on his escape to Egypt.

    Herod will seek the child to destroy him
    Matthew 2:13-23

    Message to Joseph of Jesus and Mary

    I was persecuted even before I was born; but in that world of rejection of God three wise men came to pay homage to the holy newborn child and His family. They came from pagan countries but respected the Holy Scriptures and were inspired by the Holy Spirit to take part in this extraordinary event by praising God. The angels rejoiced at my birth and came down to earth singing canticles of praise and glory to the Most High, they communicated this good news to the humble shepherds who also came to pay homage to their newborn Savior.

    This joy was not to be lived long by the Holy Family, an angel warned Joseph my foster father to escape to Egypt. Those who attempted to kill me could not carry out their wicked designs because of the divine intervention of the angels warning Joseph and advising him what to do.

    As a man I was very happy to be part of a family. Families are very dear to me because they are sacred temples of life. I manifest the gift of life in families and I bless men and women in the Sacrament of marriage to stay together and to help one another in the struggles of daily living.

    I regret deeply to see the state of families in the present times. Men and women are no longer interested in forming families to procreate children. Most of them are only attracted by the irresponsible enjoyment of sex and avoid the gift of life from me. I feel myself once more threatened as in the times of Herod. Those men and women who reject new life in the womb are indeed rejecting me because I am Life.

    He who rejects my word rejects me, he who rejects me rejects my Heavenly Father who sent me, he who rejects God is in real trouble and needs to re-think his life before it’s too late.
    Life is very precious to me because it comes from me; Those who destroy life deserve their lives to be destroyed.

    I will honor those who honor the gift of life.

  • Nita Pinto, Mangalore/Auckland

    Wed, Dec 11 2019

    Beautifully narrated Anita. That experience must have been traumatic then. So happy for you that you got a chance to visit the place where you were born. Great article! Keep them coming.

    Nita Pinto


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