ALWAYS TWO THINGS TO WORRY ABOUT

AFRICAN VERSION OF AN IRISH POEM

In this world, there are only two things to worry about
Either you were born or you were not born
If you were not born, there is nothing to worry about

If you were born, there are two things to worry about
Either you were born in Africa or born somewhere else
If you were born somewhere else, there is not much to worry about

If you were born in Africa, there are two things to worry about
Either you survive infant mortality or you die before your fifth birthday
If you die before your fifth birthday, there is nothing for you to worry about

If you survive infant mortality, there are two things to worry about
Either you are a Boy child or you are a Girl child
If you are a boy child, there is not much to worry about

If you are a Girl child, there are two things to worry about
Either your family is rich or your family is poor
If your family is rich, there is nothing to worry about

If your family is poor, there are two things to worry about
Either you get an education or do not get an education
If you get an education, there is nothing to worry about

If you do not get an education, there are two things to worry about
Either you are self-sufficient or you are not self-sufficient
If you are self-sufficient, there is nothing to worry about

If you are not self-sufficient, there are two things to worry about
Either you sleep with men to support yourself or you do not
If you do not sleep with men for support, there is nothing to worry about

If you sleep with men for support, there are two things to worry about
Either you contract AIDS or you do not contract AIDS
If you do not contract AIDS, there is still plenty to worry about

If you contract AIDS, there are two things to worry about
Either you live to suffer or die a beautiful young woman
For a Girl child in Africa there are always two things to worry about

Fatima Wahab, January 2012