Fifteen too long years too long
for the five who’ve done nothing wrong
1 year too long away from family
denied their human right to be free
2 years too long away from their own land
contact with loved ones restricted or banned
3 years too long to still be incarcerated
waiting for the day they’ll be emancipated
4 years too long missing the tocoloro bird
the beauty of its song of freedom unheard
5 years too long not tasting the best havana
rum
or dancing to the rhythm of the bata drum
6 years too long to dream of the freedom
to embrace, to walk, to talk with a loved one
for the return of their national heroes, so
great
8 years too long for lives to be put on hold
whilst waiting for their true story to be
told
9 years too long to be alone in isolation
seeking an end to this discrimination
10 years too long for miscarriage of justice
to remain
clutching on to hope, praying they will not
go insane
11 years too long keeping spirits high
counting days and weeks as they painfully
pass by
12 years too long waiting for justice to be
served
knowing that their punishment is not deserved
13 years too long for one to be partially
free
whilst four are still kept behind lock and
key
14 years too long for los cincos to be
reunited
with their family, their country, & for
wrongs to be righted
15 too long years too long
for the five who’ve done nothing wrong
for injustice and wrongful imprisonment -
fifteen years too long
for justice to be served, - freedom given, we
demand to know - how long?
by Zita Holbourne, poet~artist~activist,
copyright Sept 2013
