I'm Just A Zimbabwean Refugee Poem by Doreen Mampani

I walked for a thousand kilometers
Ran away from wild animals
I crossed the Limpopo River at night
By the grace of God, the crocodiles didn't devour me

So hungry, so thirsty, yet I continued to walk
Just to get to South Africa for a ‘piece job'
I met a madam to ask for a ‘piece job'
To scrub her floors of a fifteen-bedroom house on my knees

With a hungry stomach I toiled
Given rotten food, expired milk
Oh what a sleepless night I had
My stomach in cramps in great pain

Payday came for me to get my wages
Madam traveled to Cape Town for her holidays
Claiming she could not pay me on time
So I prayed on my knees before my Maker

God of heaven! remember me a Zimbabwean refugee
My husband died of HIV/Aids five years ago
My mother died of womb fibroid
My father was killed by robbers

Help me God! help me God!
Just to find a ‘piece job'
To feed my children,
To feed my mother- in-law,
Who daily takes care of my children

Though Zimbabwe is the last country on the world map
Before You our Maker we are important
Though we are the poorest in Africa
Amongst the rich in faith, in You, we are
I am a Zimbabwean Refugee