"I Feel Like a Big Person"

Dr. Mukwege with Congolese family

Dr. Mukwege sews and sews, 

hunting for the pieces of Alfonsine’s bladder.

Dark circles lengthen under his eyes, 

that yang look, hardened really,                     

born of living closely 

with viciousness every day.

     “Sometimes you go on your best guess,” 

      he says.

Alfonsine is newly arrived to Panzi Hospital.

After her rape, 

the perpetrator blew his shotgun into her body.

How could she survive?

But then, one day, 

lifting one tired and jaundiced eye,

Dr. Mukwege glimpses her 

on the hospital grounds.

This is the day she sang and danced!

She lifts her face 

and looks Dr. Mukwege in the eye.

     “I feel like a big person in my community,” 

      states Alfonsine.

     “I can do something for my people.

      Women must lead our country.   

      They know the way.”

Congo,  emerald jewel of Africa’s plenitude.

Dr. Mukwege raises his head 

from sewing,  sewing,

the intricate patching of torn flesh.

He hears the song 

that joins the women’s power 

to the earth and sky:

     “I will never be ashamed.

      God gave me a new heart 

      that I can be strong.”

Annelinde Metzner

September 2, 2007 

   Thanks to the work of Eve Ensler for introducing me to the work of Dr. Mukwege, who has just been granted the Nobel Peace Prize.

     Out of their work arose the City of Joy, a safe community for survivors of violence in the Congo.

Dr. Mukwege at Panzi Hospital (V-Day)