My young brother had his birthday today
There was no birthday cake, no candles to blow
Only some words of hope and prayers
‘Happy birthday my young brother.
May the day bring you more joy and happiness
May you grow as great man for your world
May your future be bright as the sunshine
To My little bro Dino VZ, 16 April 2017
You live in a peaceful village
You grow along with the nature of the green mountains
Learn to follow the rules and the wisdom of the ancestors.
In the morning, the cockcrow of the roosters wake you up
Yet the sunshine has not risen yet.
You go to the kitchen, lighting up the hearth and it smokes out
Later, a hot pitcher of an aromatic coffee is ready to serve
With some freshly boiled cassava roots
‘It’s morning already’ you said to everyone…
You live in a hut made of palm leaves and trunk.
For your children, it is the most beautiful palace ever.
Because you are always there for them, every day and night
To shelter your children with love.
To the spring fountain, you go there to take the water.
Even it is quite far to walk.
Filling the whole water pot, you carry it on your head.
To the farm and rice field, you go
To secure the food for your household
With palm leaves, you weave the winnower, mat, and basket
To contain the goods that belong to your house.
You live with all your strength to serve
Sometimes you become weak and powerless
Yet still, you rise soon afterward.
‘The night is coming…’
You summon everyone to gather
In a table with an ample of food
You fulfill their hunger, thirst, and fatigue.
Then, still there you sit
Listening and seeing them talk
Measuring their mind and soul,
Feeling their burden and relieve.
Today has passed away
Yet still, you believe that tomorrow is coming
Despite you do know not what it will bring.
You do ask not a lot of things
You do aspire not a high dream.
As to you, it is enough
If the future of your children could be bright
Though someday, you might not be there at all….
Vitalia Ze, Dili, October 15, 2014
