~~Overwhelmed by the raw talent and emotion with which my students think and feel and write. Thank you, A.N.--Chuukese woman~~
Early in the morning When the dark cloud covers the light And hides my brother from seeing the light
I woke up along shocking news That glazed my face with sadness Brought tears to my eyes
I heard an awful voice Coming from the mangroves Just right after my brother Hung himself with a thin rope
The voice said that He had to find a hat Before Uncle Priston Forced him to drink the poison
I smell his perfume When I start to feel the pain In my heart
I feel the cold air When he appears in my dreams And he touches me with his cold hands Apologizes to me
We cry to each other Among the mangrove trees Hugging each other Talking about the truth
I lost his warm hands And his warm heart That blocked the cold air From entering our house
His love and his memory will not be forgotten But I hide it in a secret place Because his love was exactly like a fire That makes the people feel warm As they come closer
by A.N. representing Chuuk, Federated States of Micronesia