A silent Season of Joy

In a few days,
Carols will begin,
the air will be filled with the silent whispers of
“silent night, holy night”
But for us,
Forced into a corner,
facing the rough beauty of the season of joy,
We will not be carolling.
These few days, these few weeks
before the 25th should be spent in preparation,
in ease, in high spirits.
These dull and early december nights
should be spent planning out decorations, Christmas meals and church programs
But instead we're digging graves,
counting lives, trembling in angst.
This year,
the Most ceremonial days of our Lives,
of our Culture- that lie ahead have been taken from us.
As Christmas draws near,
I am reminded of our 360+ Empty churches-razed to the ground,
I am reminded of our 360+ Unsanctified symbols of Faith-
destroyed by hatred.

I am reminded of our Church bells
that will sound no more,
Iam reminded of beautiful Christmas memories we will no longer remember this year,
I am reminded of the stolen season of Joy.
This year as the world gears up to celebrate the coming of the Saviour,
This year as cities and towns light up in colour, Our lives, homes and churches run dark and empty.
I am enraged, a part of me bitter.
So dont you dare forget about us.
Not today,
not tomorrow,
not anytime soon.
Until our church bells toil again
Until our harmonious melodies sound again,
Until Justice is brought home,
Until our men get to rest in the comfort of their homes,
Until each tear is wiped off the face of our mothers,
Until each and every martyr is buried in peace, Dont you dare forget about us.
This Christmas,
Light up your homes in remembrance of us,
our story,
and Make sure our cries never rot away
Under the rug of statesmen.