I lie alone at night
And think all of one year’s gone
Since I held you in my arms
In the bed we know so well.
I lie alone at night
And see the callous bandits
Break into our hallowed bedroom
Cruelly knife our togetherness.
I lie alone at night
And think of you lying lonely
Dreaming of my return
To the home we love so well
I lie alone at night
And think of the thick boots
Which stalk the halls of tyranny
And crush us underfoot.
I lie alone at night
And wonder why you wait
And endure the gripping pain
Which is my lot to bear.
I lie alone at night
And think of the stranger moon
The stars beyond my gaze
Your beauty like moons and stars
I lie alone at night
And pray the day will come
To mend your broken heart
And steel my breaking soul.
I lie alone at night
And dream a great new dawn
Without boots and knives
Broken hearts, breaking souls
Empty dreams and lonely beds
Stranger moons and searing pain
When you and I and all of us
Can hold hands and sing our love
Into a night captured by peace.
Ken Saro-Wiwa
3/6/95