Nya’s Life
Going was easy.
Switching the handle from one hand to another,
Cradling in both hands,
Little weight going.
But half the morning
was
Heat.
Time.
And
Thorns.
Try not to step on the spiky plants,
Though thorns littered the ground.
Ow!
A big thorn in her heel.
Another thorn to poke and prod the first
Against the pain, lips pressed.
Nya drew nearer to the pond.
Ankle-deep in water,
She saw other women and girls,
With their own containers.
She would be home by noon, if all went well.
“Take Akeer with you.” Mother.
Akeer was only five years old. Too young.
“She needs to learn.”
Takes Akeer by the hand.
Second trip to the pond.
To the pond and back - To the pond and back.
Daily.
Every single day.
Nya and her family went to the lake in the dry season,
Three days’ walk.
Nya’s job - fetch water.
Waiting for dirty water for hours
For much of each day, digging for water.
Nuer fought with Dinka over the lake.
Her mother was afraid
That Nya’s father and brother, Dep, would
Run into Dinka and get
Injured - or worse.
Other families had lost loved ones.
Would they be lucky again?
