The Mother's Flight
By Princess Ruto
The flames lick at her feet
Scorching her muddy heels
As the sounds of war surround her
The soft padding of footbeats behind her
Closing in
Closing in
She stops to pull back the rags
Her little treasure is wrapped in
To glance at the babe's sleeping face
To see he is alright
She turns to look
The red headed ones are
Closing in
Closing in
She runs
Continuing her flight
Towards a green wood
That is deep and dense
To hide her and the child
For she is hunted by the enemy
That is
Closing in
Closing in
A sharp pain
Stabs
Blood flows
She falls
Stumbles
Drops her son
Finds him
Cradles him
Draws herself up
Sweat and blood running in her eyes
She struggles on
Scooting across the barren ground
Until the shade of the forest
Embraces her
Cools her
The enemy is no longer
Closing in
Closing in
She sighs with releif
But then realizes
Her life is drawing to a close
Children come out
Greeting her
Pulling her up
One carries her child
She is led
To a large tree
Who speaks
He will take care of the boy
A child hands the baby to her
As she slumps over
Carressing his soft cheek
Her tears falling on his face
She kisses him tenderly
Murmuring goodbye
As her strength fails
Her life fades .....