THE SCARS OF TRANSFORMATION

That dreadful morning bell rang at 5:am Calling on children to prepare for prayers Those with wisdom were not unprepared Those without already heard the whispering of cain Yet running taps were as scarce as sweet food The slow droplets of water echoed on the buckets Buckets were kicked but not figuratively so Every bucket battled to fill itself, even if by half Instead of body creams, balms caressed the skin Protection of impending pain on both mind and body For the mind there is proper remedy The school counsellor had a blade for a mouth The pain was transformed into perseverance The discipline forged us into greater men Marks from whipping now remembrance of a journey A sojourn which led to our transformation