by Tabitha N. Munyoki
Do not envy me; life snatched the blanket of innocence Much too early Stunted the growth of a little girl, inflicting wounds To a supple soul Do not envy me; I have been underwater much too long Gasping and reaching for air; asphyxiated Losing parts, fixated on history Bleeding complex soul wounds Do not envy me; deceived by an imaginary stench And the need for squeaky clean In search of approval Eating the devils lies Follow the King; He shielded me with His feathers And in His time, Restored to me the years The consuming locust had eaten Follow the king; I have dwelt in the shelter of the Most high Being made new, a son Under his wings I have found refuge And healing of soul Follow the king; transformed by the renewal of mind And the acceptance of grace In search of His forgiveness Set free by the King
Dr. Tabitha N. Munyoki is a registered medical doctor currently working with Centre of Excellence HIV Management (COEHM) as a PMTCT lead in Kenyatta National Hospital-Kenya. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi College of Health Sciences and currently pursuing a master’s degree in Public Health in the same institution. She is a Christian, a mental health advocate, bibliophile, and a budding poet.