Monique M. Keller
Eyes open to a new winter’s day. Body rested but mind busy unpacking and sorting yesterday’s images. Dazed. Confused. Concern… for our country. Our beloved country South Africa; soil faithfully sustaining our bodies over years, its rivers and streams quenching our thirst. I see fire; I see devastation.
It hurts every fiber in my body. Cells quivering in the presence of the fire, flames, and smoke…the reality of it all. Concerned about the devastation but more about the desperation. Am I just ignorant? Living out privilege… Thinking that looting a blood bank brings any gain to the one running, breaking glass, forcing door open because they have strength in arms and hands. Does this life energy outweigh the needs of brother and sister who is using the last bit of energy to breathe? Needing life-saving blood and people to transport it, not fearing for their lives on the road while doing so. Attacking and robbing heroes behind ambulance steering wheel, whose hearts beat faster and more erratic on a wind still day, because of the profession they devote their lives to. The shop owner crying for loss, hungry for justice, hungry for food.
Devastation. Destruction. Desperation.
Crying for our beloved country.
Monique M. Keller
Writer of Teacher on the Mount
