‘I will never leave you!

I go deh with you…’

he said.

Tears rolled freely.

She wept

as her face went red.

It was clear he meant it;

his words cut her open.

She must believe.

So he went away

to fight in the World War.

When he returned to Africa,

it was with a body charred

from unseen bullets and wounds,

and a soul

that would not love her anymore.