The Way I Wish it Was You are here Home Educators Educator Resources A poem inspired by a presentation on Malawi By Sam Gonson, high school seniorAs one who considers hot showers wasteful,She looks upon the riverwith respect,And knows the meaning of “life-giving.”Her children gaze at the Malawi sunwith a rustic splendorher eyes once knew.She remembers a timewhen she too,lived to play on the banks,under the vigilant watchof her own mother.She stands in retrospective wonderof the maternalbeast that raised her.Her feet cradledby the same wavesshe felt years ago.As her ears openand her past expands,A liquid voice risesfrom her river.It seeps into her memoryas her mother whispers:“I am with you.”A high school senior wrote this poem. He was inspired by a returned Volunteer's presentation on Malawi to his Peace Club. This poem was presented at a school poetry slam and printed here with permission from the author. Related Lessons View All