It Is A Long Winter Night,

It is heavy, my head is pregnant,

But to be honest I do not know with what!

This has gone far too long,

And there is no deliverance in sight.

Be that as it may, the kids are out in the field,

And the usual parental worries I am beginning to feel.

I wonder if I could brave it out.

It is a long winter, blustery cold,

And dark are the nights.

Even the moon seems to have wondered off its orbit,

Attracted by another peaceful planet.

(Who can blame a loyal companion, as is the moon,

Constantly by its partner (the Earth) looked down upon).

And the stars' flickering distant twilights,

Are of no practical use to help locate

Lost damsels and lads.

My head is heavy, it is pregnant,

Heaven knows with what!

It has gone far too long,

And yet deliverance is no where in sight.

A doctor has been sought,

But medicine has not yet been found.

When and if I am through and done,

I pray to God stretching my hands,

My kids would be found,

Kicking and alive and toiling their father's land.

Copyright Haileselassie Girmay

9/5/99