A one and a half hour trip going on four hours
Time is ticking
Reports are due, proposals to send, meeting delayed
Onlookers gaze at the muzungo as she waits for her driver by the road
She’s out of place, no other foreigners here
Alas, picked up by her friendly chauffeur with a warm smile
She’s frustrated, sweaty, hot and tired, but pretends not to be
What good would that do?
Finally arrives to her home and workplace on the petite mountain
Sun is closing
The grand, blue-green mountains of Congo bring her peace
Inflated clouds create lines over and beneath
Gold, salmon, azure, sapphire
Each evening is unique, takes her breath away still
“Could anywhere be more beautiful?” she’s asked over and over
Off for a run, along the windy, tan, fleshy road
Children tending goats, others carrying pails of water
Young man on a bike lugging empty bottles of fierté burundaise
A wise, weathered woman greets her with amahoro
Followed by a drunk, local primary school teacher
Mothers and grandmothers in joyful, vibrant fabrics walk with purpose
Firewood piled on their heads
“Cat-a-reen-a” the bright eyed six-year-old sings
Seven spirited girls leave their water pails behind and greet her
“Head and shoulders, knees and toes” they sing, skipping alongside her
Below her, pampered feet in gray Nikes with neon orange shoelaces
Alongside, seven pairs of strong, tough feet join in her procession
Two with weathered plastic foam sandals, five without
A young boy greets them: “Good morning, teacher”
A reminder of the work to be done
But she fills hopeful and loved
Should running partners and smiles satisfy her?
But they do
A stranger in a foreign land speaking another tongue
With running partners half her size
The shared smiles, music, dance, hope and love,
They’ll laugh together
Perhaps inspire each other
Maybe they’ll bring change together
