Well Meant
By Chris Abani
Twenty-five hundred tins of tuna,
no can opener.
Powdered milk that loosened unfamiliar
stomachs speeding death.
Three thousand Bibles dropped into
Mujahudden children.
One thousand blankets and sweaters,
sent to tropical hot zone.
Crates of suturing thread and no needles.
Thousands of candles and no matches.
Tubes of toothpaste and no toothbrushes.
Boxes of high heeled shoes.
Copyright Credit: Chris Abani, "Well Meant" from Daphne's Lot. Copyright © 2003 by Chris Abani. Reprinted by permission of Red Hen Press.