Classic Poem

She cannot read or write
she does not understand
the radio's bulletins:
victories here, marches there,
thundering drums,
this bridge crossed, that overwhelming advance
while the wheels of another war
that never leads to victory
grind continually
in the head of soldier Hakeem.

Beginning of the month
she awaits for it to end
and dies thirty times.
One pound in his letter:
on one pound a month
who can survive?

No one drops by
but she backs him into a corner
has him read her Hakeem's letter.
Quickly her eyes fill with tears;
she does not understand what it says
yet from the first word she weeps.
" Hakeem says he is well
and enjoys good health,
when night and the night's ghosts come,
he remembers his aunt: " Lord, won't she recover?"
Remembers his sister: " Why was she divorced?
She is so good!" "
She listens, she cries,
she awaits each month
and dies thirty times.