Green Mama

Green Mama
She woke up at the crack of dawn
She woke up to feed her children
She woke up to take care of her ailing mum
She woke up to see her friend’s daughter get married
She woke up to clean her husband's best shirt for the community meeting
She woke up to tend to her small farm of potatoes and maize
She woke up for hope of a better day

She reached out for her water tank
Oh no its half way through!
She can’t bathe her children for school
She can’t prepare her mother’s herbal medicine
She can't make breakfast
She can't wash up before the wedding
She can’t clean her husband’s clothes
She can't water her crop
She can't see much hope for a better day

Green Mama will not relent
Green Mama will not give up
She picks herself up and reaches for her 20 liter plastic jerrican
Slums it on her back and trots down the dusty road down the hill to the river
A small stream quietly edges by
Glistening in the sun , kissed by the sun rays and gleaming with hope

Green Mama quietly smiles
Her children will bathe and go to school
Her mum will get her medicine
Her family will make it for breakfast today
Her friend will see her at the wedding all washed and clean
Her husband's shirt will get cleaned
Her crops will get watered and make a bountiful harvest
Hope is back this is going to be a good day

Green Mama is you and me
Green Mama is that woman who wakes up to hope
Hopeful for a better world
A green world with clean free water
A green world with clean air
A green world with trees, chirping birds,
A carbon free green world
For a green world gives Green Mama Hope
Hope for a better day
©Matu