Date:14th February,1996

Time: 12:46am

Thats when I came to be

It was a special day,am told

Valentines Day,

A special day for a special kid,

I was special alright!

Date:May 7th 2001

Time:Forever it seems

I lie in bed

A needle in my hand

And a medicine dripping into my body

Am used to this now,

I dont' cry much anymore.

I hate this place

It stinks,I think

And the nurses are always harsh

But its better than home

And I always look forward to being here!

Date:7th April 2005

Time: Afternoon

I rush home from school

I cant stay back and play with friends

I dont have any

All they do is call me names

And aunty did say I have to fetch two bundles of firewood today

I rush into the compound

Uncle is sitting under the tree

I skip over to him

A smile on my face

And hand him my end of term report card

I had topped my class

He grunts

Crumples the paper

And reminds me there will be no dinner if the firewood isn't enough!

Date:14th February 2006

Time:Around 4:00pm I think

I lie on a pile of grass

This time I know I will not awake

I hope I will not awake

A snake bite

A dangerous one, I think

I think of all that has been drummed into my head

I was always told I would die

Soon!

I was born with a virus

I never understood much

But from the hatred in their voices

And the hatred in their eyes

I knew it was something horrible!

I think back......

Date: 14th February 2006

Time:Earlier that afternoon

I am collecting firewood

My third bunch today

Because its a special day,

For me!

I see it

I know I should ran

Just the other day, ochieng, our neighbour had died because of it

But I reach for the wood next to it

Immediately it strikes

I feel a sting, thats all

I drop the firewood and ran

I sneak into the home, into the cowshed

And lie on a pile of grass

I hope it works

I wait patiently!

I have hated every moment I spent on earth

I dont understand much of it

I am only 10

But I hope

When I get to where death takes me

Things will be better,

At least thats what they say in church

But mostly,once I get there

I just want to ask

To be made to understand

Why life on earth is so horrible

I was special, I was once told

I was born on a special day

Is this what special is?

I feel a strange feeling

I think this is death

I feel a bit of pain

And I smile

People wailed and cried when OChieng was found in the woods

Would the same happen when they find me?

I dont think so,

But I wont be here to find out.