By Sylester Anyanga Ochieng of Kenya, Africa

Deceit is in the mind of those who plan evil, but those who counsel peace have joy.

This poem is a true reflection about what happened in Kenya in 2007 during the post-election violence. The poet has intentionally chosen the words and language he thinks would carefully describe the dreadful environment caused by the destruction and mass displacement of people, ethnic violence, long-term indelible scars caused by the lethal weapons of war, and the eventual call for peace and reconciliation.

The Curse of the Ballot

The ink was barely dry upon the electors’ thumb,
Before the unrhythmic beating of the war-drum.
Entire citizenry paused, in hope and held breath,
Suddenly the whole nation plunged into the pool of violence, anarchy and death.
Where once the lush savanna canopied the bare hopeless land,
Dark smoke choked the radiant face of the sun, turning the azure, blue skies to night of horror.
Alas! in the twinkle of an eye, the crimson stain covered the once beautiful vegetation,
Such brokenness the hills and the valleys had never seen.
Neighbors turned to beasts, friends to foes, relatives to aliens,
As the unquenched flames of the deadly inferno mercilessly licked homes we used to know.
The machetes spoke a harsh and bitter tongue,
Robbing the futures of the young and the old.
We tore the fabric of our own accord,
By the venomous words of hate, and tribal, cruel edge of the sword.
Over three hundred fifty thousand walking in the rain,
Bearing the weight of excruciating pain.
A thousand souls gone to the silent shade,
Because of the reckless choices made by the heartless leaders.
Let the smoke rise no more in silent prayer,
Let the scars teach us the cost of anger and despair.
For the damaged land and wounded heart,
We must seek divine intervention for a brand-new beginning.
Never again, the promise whispered low,
Let love, not blood, in the rivers of Africa flow.

Prayer Phrase

“Bear one another’s burdens…” (Galatians 6:2).

Spiritual Hunger

Jesus discerned hungers of body and spirit, and he fed them through a physical, verbal, spiritual ministry of presence. In a time of listening prayer, ask God to help you discern physical or spiritual hungers of people in your congregation, community, and global family. Invite the Spirit to move you to one hospitable act that “feeds” someone’s hunger today.

Today’s Prayer for Peace

Engage in a daily practice of praying for peace in our world. Click here to read today’s prayer and be part of this practice of peace.